Iberian Wine Discoveries and Collectibles
Kirk Walker, K&L Iberian Wine Buyer
One of my favorite things about the Iberian Peninsula is that there’s always something new to discover. After many years on my wine journey, I’m still finding new gems here—and it's my job to know them! Sometimes it’s an undiscovered region with centuries of grape-growing history, or a reimagined variety or style. I especially love discovering new grape varieties. With so many great wines out there, it's easy to overlook hidden gems, but today I’m here to share a few for you to explore on your own wine journey. From best buy Riojas, to under-the-radar Portuguese deals, and hard to come by collectibles, this selection has a little bit of something for everyone. Enjoy!
Hermanos Hernáiz: “Charming and Serious” Rioja from a Special Vineyard
Discovering Dão: The Portuguese Answer to Burgundy
Looking to Spain's Galicia Region for Exciting White Wines
Spanish Sparkling Wine Picks by Our SF Bubbly Expert
Our Spanish and Portuguese Expert’s Wine Roundup
In-Stock Collectibles from Legendary Spanish Producers
95 Points for Hermanos Hernáiz:
“Charming and Serious” Rioja from a Special Vineyard
Last year, we began our relationship with the Hernáiz brothers, whose wines I am deeply enamored with for two key reasons: First, they are simply delicious, making every sip a treat. Second, they tell a story—perfectly capturing Rioja, its rich history, and its evolving future. The journey begins at Finca Emperatriz, a historic estate named after Eugénie de Montijo, the last Empress of France. Located in eastern Rioja, the vineyards, planted with 50-60-year-old vines across nearly 100 parcels, benefit from the cool climate influenced by the Sierra Cantabrian and Sierra de la Demanda mountains. The soils, a mix of large stones over sand, and the old, head-trained vines drew the attention of the brothers and the appellation. Fantastic finds from a producer we’re excited to enjoy for years to come, learn more about this incredible estate here.
2018 Hermanos Hernaiz "Finca La Emperatriz" Blanco Reserva Rioja 95 $39.99 View
2018 Hermanos Hernaiz "Finca La Emperatriz" Reserva Rioja 95 $39.99 View
Discovering Dão: The Portuguese Answer to Burgundy
Dão, known for its exceptional cheese and wines, is one of Portugal's most unique regions. Nestled in a mountain-surrounded bowl in central northern Portugal, it is protected from both coastal influences and the heat of the Iberian Peninsula. The region’s alpine feel, with smaller vineyards amidst forests and scattered granite boulders, sets it apart from other Portuguese wine areas. Dão’s wines are often described as Portugal’s Burgundies—brighter, more aromatic, and restrained compared to the bold, sun-drenched wines from other regions.
Embracing aromatic, medium-bodied varieties that thrive in the poor schist and granite soils, the wines benefit from a long growing season and present as thought-provoking and complex. Still flying under the radar and offering incredible value, click here to read more about this up-and-coming region.
BLANCO
2022 M.O.B. "Lote 3" Branco Dao $17.99 View
2022 Casa de Mouraz Encruzado Dao $24.99 View
TINTO
2020 M.O.B. "Lote 3" Tinto Dao $17.99 View
2019 Casa da Passarella "Vinhas Velhas" Tinto Dão $39.99 View
Looking to Spain's Galicia Region for Exciting White Wines
Galicia, in the northwest corner of Spain, stands out for its white wines in a country known for reds. With a cooler, wetter climate, it is culturally distinct, speaking Gallego, a mix of Castilian and Portuguese. The region's viticulture resembles that of northern Portugal's Vinho Verde, with small family plots, vines trained high to allow for other crops, and shared varietals like Albariño. Rias Baixas, Galicia's key wine region, is better known for Albariño than its own name. Albariño, one of the most exciting white grape varieties, is a must-try, and we have a great selection of these wines under $30. Here's why we keep a couple bottles of these wines cold at all times.
2023 Lagar de Fornelos "Pazo de Seoane" Blanco Rías Baixas $21.99 View
2023 Eduardo Peña "Castrelo de Miño" Ribeiro $24.99 View
2023 Bodegas Albamar Albariño Rias Baixas $25.99 View
2021 Lagar de Costa "Calabobos" Albarino Rias Baixas $27.99 View
Spanish Sparkling Picks:
From Our San Francisco Bubbly Expert
There are several great things about Spain's sparkling wines, but our favorite is likely to be the incredible quality-to-value ratio. With an abundance of excellent wines of superior quality at under $40, these picks are totally worth your time. Organic and biodynamic, with hand-picked fruit, each of these producers practices earth-friendly viticulture and focusesand focus upon old vines and native varieties. So, they not only taste good, but are good to you and to the earth! It doesn't get much better than bargain bubbly, read more about about these over-delivering bottles here.
2022 Raventós i Blanc "Blanc de Blancs" Brut Conca del Riu Anoia $22.99 View
2021 Mas Candi Corpinnat Brut Nature $24.99 View
2019 Mestres "Coquet" Gran Reserva Brut Nature Cava $29.99 View
2019 Recaredo "Terrers" Brut Nature Corpinnat $38.99 View
Our Spanish and Portuguese Expert’s Wine Roundup
With so many great wines out there, it's easy to overlook the off-the-beaten-path options, especially in Iberia, known for its complex regional history, endless indigenous grape varieties, and love for blends. Here are a few bottles I find myself falling in love with over and over again! From fascinating Basque reds to go-to Portuguese whites and a Spanish "grand cru" find from one of the country's most revered winemakers, each of these thought-provoking and delicious wines continues to inspire me.
2022 Tantaka Tinto Arabako Txakolina $25.99 View
2021 Viñedos Lopez "La Bodegaza" Blanco Valdejalon $29.99 View
2022 Celler del Roure "Cullerot" Blanco Valencia $19.99 View
2022 Passágem Reserva Branco Douro $24.99 View
2022 Descendientes de José Palacios "Corullon" Bierzo $54.99 View
2019 Luis Cañas "Reserva de la Familia" Reserva Rioja $49.99 View
In Stock Spanish Icons:
Legendary Vintages and Sought-After Collectibles
2016 Mas Martinet "Clos Martinet" Priorat 96 $89.99 View
2006 Clos Martinet "Els Escursons" Priorat $109.99 View
2022 Alvaro Palacios "Finca Dofi" Priorat 97 $124.99 View
2021 Clos Erasmus "Laurel" Priorat (1.5L) 96 $134.99 View
2021 Familia Nin-Ortiz "Nit de Nin Mas D'en Caçador" Priorat 98 $149.99 View
2021 Familia Nin-Ortiz "Nit de Nin Coma D´En Romeu" Priorat 98 $149.99 View
2022 Alvaro Palacios "Les Aubaguetes" Priorat 97 $399.00 View
2022 Alvaro Palacios "Les Aubaguetes" Priorat (1.5L) 97 $899.99 View
2022 Alvaro Palacios "L'Ermita" Priorat 99 $1,249.99 View
2022 Alvaro Palacios "L'Ermita" Priorat (1.5L) 99 $2,499.99 View
2022Alvaro Palacios "L'Ermita" Priorat (3L) 99 $4,999.99 View
2022 Dominio de Pingus "Pingus" Ribera del Duero 100 $1,250.00 View
2018 Miguel Merino Gran Reserva Rioja (1.5L bottle) 94 $89.99 View
2016 Bodegas Muga "Prado Enea" Gran Reserva Rioja 97 $94.99 View
202 1Bodegas Lanzaga (Telmo Rodriguez) "La Estrada" Rioja 97 $124.99 View
Valdespino "Toneles" Moscatel Jerez (375ml) 100 $249.99 View