Bendito Destino

Star sommeliers Terry Kandylis and Guillermo Cruz – a.k.a Bendito Destino – are fast establishing themselves as two of Ribera del Duero’s most ambitious new winemaking talents.

In 2020, while exploring this part of Castilla y León, Terry and Guillermo saw the potential of several abandoned plots of centennial bush vines around the village of Canalejas de Peñafie. Within weeks they established Bendito Destino (“Blessed Destiny”) and set about restoring 4ha of Tempranillo, Garnacha, and Albillo vines using dry farming and organics.

In a region known for ripe, highly extracted wines, Terry and Guillermo draw on Burgundian techniques with gentle punch downs and extractions to highlight the purity of the fruit. Harvested at night and destemmed by hand, grapes are foot trodden and fermented with wild yeasts in open containers, then bottled unfined and unfiltered.

From four 100-year-old plots, their Albillo Mayor is fermented in French oak and aged for six months on lees, its floral-edged fruit balanced by tangy acidity. Their Clarete – a blend of red and white grapes sourced from Carramimbre, Navazal, and El Olmar – is vibrant and energetic, with crunchy red berries and a fine saline streak. Co-fermented with partial whole bunches, the Field Blend is aged for 14 months in a variety of vessels, offering smoky dark fruit and velvety tannins, as well as serious ageing potential.

Turning heads at our mother company Keeling Andrew & Co’s portfolio tasting this week with an impressive maiden vintage, these bottles have already found listings in 3-Michelin star restaurants in London and Spain. Bendito Destino lives up to its name.

Albillo Mayor 2021 (£57)  Sold out
Textural and precise – confit lemon layered with yellow flowers and spice.

Clarete 2021 (£42)  Sold out
36 bottles available – max. 6 bottles per customer
Vibrant, juicy red berries and saline minerality. Tingling with energy.

Field Blend 2021 (£62) Sold out
Dark fruit tinged with smoke and herbs – perfumed and silky. Drink from 2024.

Please note that this offer has expired, however you can check current stocks via the search bar or shop@shrinetothevine.co.uk