De La Riva

What to do about Sherry? Once among the most prized of wines, its popularity plummeted in the late 20th century, thanks to changing fashions, industrialisation and a decline in quality. It has been off the radar for the majority of drinkers ever since. But ask those who know and you’ll hear the same message again and again: Sherry’s greatest bottles have astrong claim to be the best value fine wines in the world.

Enter Jerez natives Willy Pérez and Ramiro Ibáñez. This pair are the authors of a book on the history of Sherry production, and they’re helping to lead a revival. They believe that Sherry’s greatest assets are its vineyards, and that somewhere along the way to industrialisation the link between the wines and the vines was lost. Their De La Riva wines are all about repairing that connection.

De La Riva is a venerable name in Sherry. The original bodega dates to 1776. From Sherry’s glory days to its decline, De La Riva encapsulates the story of the region. Eventually it became a victim of consolidation, shelved as a brand in the early 2000s. Now Willy and Ramiro are using it to write the next chapter, resurrecting the name, bringing back forgotten winemaking techniques, and crafting wines that express the unique qualities of their vineyards.

The best-known De La Riva wines are unfortified, from old vineyards with distinct soil types, and made with grapes partially dried in the sun - a historic style that had all-but disappeared. But De La Riva releases also include fortified and sweet wines of different ages. What they all have in common is an authentic connection to the land and to local winemaking traditions. They are bursting with energy and character. They are some of the most exciting wines in Spain, and an inspiration for Sherry's future.