Handford Wines

Today, the family's artistic tradition continues alive and well, represented on the one hand by José María Guelbenzu – who is a well-known writer – and on the other by Ignacio Guelbenzu, who is not only a respected painter, but also an active shareholder in the winery. Indeed, not only has the family bequeathed its historic house to the winery, but many of its wines bear family names. It is very much 'The Garden Winery', in memory of the lush grounds that once surrounded the house. The family has continued to grow vines ever since the days of Miguel, and today it is grandson Julio Guelbenzu, who, with his eight sons and daughters, continues the historic family quest for excellence. The Guelbenzu family has, over the years, gone to painstaking lengths to differentiate the nature of each of the various styles. All the members of the family are professionals in their chosen fields, primarily in the law and medicine, but they include a painter and an archaeologist. Those who spearhead the winery are Ricardo Guelbenzu, 49; and oenologist Yoseba Altuna, 37, trained in Madrid and Montpellier, who has worked with Guelbenzu since the beginning of the current phase. It is they who have 'designed' today's wines. Yoseba is an innate, meticulous, consummate practitioner of his art; a fact amply illustrated by the steady stream of good wines that he has produced for us year after year.

The Wine

Superb new offering from this Navarra estate. High portion of Graciano (25%) makes for a dark, spicy, powerful but juicy red.

Single Bottle: £16.99

In a case of 12: £16.14