Winemaker Notes
Bodegas Naia’s winery, Viña Sila, is situated along the southern bank of the Duero River in Rueda. The winery covers 40 hectares (about 96 acres) in the village of La Seca, which is referred to as Rueda’s "Grand Cru" village by local growers. The climate here is described as “extreme continental”, very dry with a low average annual rainfall. There are long, cold winters with frequent frost and short, hot summers.
Bodegas Naia makes tank-fermented, bright, zesty, crisp whites like Verdejo that possess ripe stone fruit notes, honeysuckle aromas and balanced acidity.
Rueda is located along the banks of the Duero River in Spain’s Castilla y León region, just a 2-hour drive north of Madrid. While winemaking in this area goes back to the 12th century, it was in the 1980s that the region was granted Denominación de Origen (D.O.) status. Today, more than 70 wineries call Rueda home. This national favorite is the top-selling white wine in Spain.
Notable facts Rueda’s main grape variety, Verdejo, gets it distinct complexity from stressful growing conditions and mineral-rich soil. Think of Verdejo as a fuller-bodied and more aromatic Sauvignon Blanc. A lush and smooth character with perfectly balanced acidity means Rueda wines pair well with seafood, fresh salads and spicy food, but are also great on their own.
Capable of a vast array of styles, Sauvignon Blanc is a crisp, refreshing variety that equally reflects both terroir and varietal character. Though it can vary depending on where it is grown, a couple of commonalities always exist—namely, zesty acidity and intense aromatics. This variety is of French provenance. Somm Secret—Along with Cabernet Franc, Sauvignon Blanc is a proud parent of Cabernet Sauvignon. That green bell pepper aroma that all three varieties share is no coincidence—it comes from a high concentration of pyrazines (herbaceous aromatic compounds) inherent to each member of the family.