Belondrade y Lurton was founded in 1994 by French winemaker Didier Belondrade and his partner in Rueda, Castilla y León, as part of a movement to elevate Spanish white wine. Quinta Apolonia is named in honour of Belondrade’s daughter and showcases the diversity of the estate’s organically farmed Quinta San Diego vineyards, planted on varied clay, sandy and pebble soils around 750 metres above sea level. These well drained, high-altitude vineyards capture crisp mountain air and Mediterranean sunshine, producing expressive, fresh Verdejo with notable aromatic complexity and structure.
The Belondrade Quinta Apolonia 2024 Verdejo combines fruit from young vines with declassified barrel-fermented juice from the top Belondrade wine to add weight and depth. A portion of the wine saw gentle ageing on lees in French oak for approximately three months, with the remainder fermented in stainless steel to preserve vibrant acidity and pure fruit character. The result is a bright straw yellow wine with aromas of stone fruit, citrus and subtle herbaceous notes, a fresh, balanced palate and a chalky texture. Drinks beautifully now but will carry through the next 3-5 years. Pair with grilled fish, shellfish, risotto or soft cheeses for a classic pairing.