Free Hands, Free Pockets
“Free hands, free pockets,” seemed to be her mantra as she explained why she did not want to be tied down to one vineyard of grapes when there could be others that were of better quality in a given season. After several years of dialogue, Maria finally convinced Osborne to sell their private estate vineyards so that she could have “free hands, free pockets,” ready and willing to buy the best Tempranillo and Viura grapes available on the open market in any given harvest. By not being limited to her own estate vineyards, Maria has had the flexibility to consistenly create influential wines that have garnered international acclaim. Maria, is not only a respected winemaker, but also a shrewd business woman as revealed by her clever harvest negotiation strategies. First as the harvest approaches, she invites local growers that are contending for the season’s Montecillo contract, to the winery. Second, she offers them a “bottomless” glass of brandy while she, herself, sips nothing but water. Finally, it may take ‘til the wee hours of the morning, she admits, before an agreement is reached, but by then she can “Usually acquire the grapes at a price she is willing to pay,” she shared with pointed finger and a hearty laugh!
Winemaking an Honor and an Art
Maria considers making wine both an honor and an art. She has been consistently committed to working with indigenous Spanish varietals, mainly Tempranillo and Viura, while others around have flirted with the current New World varietal trends and blends. Her mark has been made and pefected with wines from the varietals that grow well and work well in Rioja. Educated in both Spain and Bordeaux, it makes sense that Maria was one of the first vintners to utilize Bordeaux methods for making wine with Spanish varietals. The resulting wines, fondly referred to as “her babies,” exhibit the distinct character of the Tempranillo grape, while offering unmistakable finesse and aging potential.
The Fruit Doesn’t Fall Far from the Tree
If it’s possible to infuse a wine with the winemaker’s personality and intensity, then Bodegas Montecillo has done just that. Maria Martinez-Sierra is a vibrant woman with an inspiring passion and electrifying energy that stirs those around her. Her award-winning Tempranillo based Rioja wines reflect her bold character, her depth of heart and her infusing spirit. They are spicy, engaging and extremely food-friendly wines that claim your palate and command your attention. It’s no wonder, she refers to them as family members, they are "beautiful babies," destined for elegance and distinction at maturity.
