Walla Walla, WA, November 16, 2022 – Valdemar Estates, Valdemar Family’s first venture outside of Spain since its 1889 inception, has acquired the entirety of V2 Vineyard – a 40-acre parcel located within the SeVein Vineyards development in the Walla Walla Valley – from Betz Family Winery and Siren Song Vineyard Estate and Winery. The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
“We were very impressed with this vineyard right away, it naturally gives us higher acid at full ripeness which fits our style very well,” says Jesús Martínez Bujanda Mora, CEO and 5th generation owner of Valdemar Family. “We love how this site fits perfectly into the style of wines we want to achieve: fresher, balance, longevity. We’ve worked with fruit from this site for several years and have been delighted to hear people describe our Cabernet from V2 as quite European.”
V2 Vineyard is a northeast-facing, gently sloped, 100% Walla Walla silt loam site, situated between 900-1250 feet elevation. The vineyard was developed and continues to be managed by Sadie Drury of North Slope Management, with the first 22 acres planted in 2016, including Cabernet Sauvignon (16 acres), Cabernet Franc (1 acre), Merlot (2.5 acres), and Petit Verdot (2.5 acres). Neighbors of V2 Vineyard include the famed Seven Hills Vineyard, L’Ecole No. 41, Leonetti Cellars, Doubleback, Pepper Bridge, and Doug Frost, MS/MW’s Echolands. The Vineyard has been developed and farmed to exacting standards with no expense spared to produce exceptional wines. Valdemar has been sourcing from V2 since 2019 and has found it to consistently produce their favorite Cabernet Sauvignon.
“Sadie’s oversight of the vineyard gives us great confidence; her deep knowledge and vision that Walla Walla can produce wines that stand with or surpass the best wines in the world matches our own and we love working with her,” relays Bujanda. “Our winemaker, Devyani Gupta, has worked with Sadie on the vineyard and we’re proud of their strong collaboration.”
Winemaker Devyani Gupta recalls, “in 2019 we began working with Clone 4 Cabernet Sauvignon from V2, and despite the young vine age, it was our clear favorite of the vintage. However, even more impressive was the way the young vineyard had navigated the hurdles of the growing season, due to its North-East aspect, elevation, air flow and grade: in the midst of heat events, the vineyard remained cooler than valley floor, and even after the second October frost, the vineyard still had healthy green leaves. For me, I personally enjoy the way the wines from this site challenge your palate during fermentation – they are intense! But with time, patience, and
technique, the tannins give way to a fullness and length on the palate that I love, and a frame that is meant for long-term aging.”
Valdemar Estates plans to expand on the site and is currently working with Washington State University (WSU) to bring the Maturana grape, indigenous to Rioja, to the United States with the country’s first plantings slated for V2 Vineyard.
Steve Griessel spoke on behalf of the sellers saying, “Since coming to Washington, Jesus and his family have become dear friends and we’ve enjoyed making wine from this vineyard alongside them. While we developed V2 with intentions for our winery programs, it became clear after several vintages that the fruit was more well suited to Valdemar’s style and vision than our own. We can’t imagine a better steward to be passing the property along to than them.”
METIS, the premier Pacific Northwest Wine M&A advisory firm, was the exclusive Transaction Advisor.
About Valdemar Estates
The Valdemar Family has been making wines in Rioja, Spain for 130 years. In 2019, under Ana Jesus Martínez Bujanda’s stewardship, they opened Valdemar Estates in Walla Walla, Washington. In 2017, Bodegas Valdemar became the first winery with a 100% accessible and inclusive tourism experience, and in 2021, Valdemar Estates followed suit, making it the first – and only – winery in the United States to do so.
To learn more, visit https://valdemarestates.com/, and follow and like Valdemar Estates on Facebook @ValdemarEstates and @ValdemarEstates on Instagram using hashtag: #valdemarestates.
