Homage to Benjamin Romeo

A FAREWELL TOAST TO A RIOJA LEGEND

On 17 August, Rioja lost one of its true originals. Benjamin Romeo, the man who made his first wine in a cave beneath a castle, moved into his parents’ garage, and came out with two perfect 100-point scores from Robert Parker, died aged 61. This is our evening to raise a glass to him.

Five wines. One winemaker. A legacy we’ll be drinking for years to come.

Some of these bottles won’t be made again. At the end of the night Martha will share a thin list of limited-edition Benjamin wines, for anyone who’d like to take a piece of his story home.

THE MAN BEHIND THE BOTTLES

Benjamin grew up in a family of growers in San Vicente de la Sonsierra. He spent around fifteen years at Artadi, rising to technical director, before going it alone in 2000. His first wine, La Cueva del Contador 1996, was made in a centuries-old cave under the village castle. In 2001 he turned his parents’ garage into a winery, and from that garage came Contador 2004 and 2005, both awarded 100 points by The Wine Advocate. Back-to-back perfect scores, unheard of in Spain at the time.

He named his wines after the people and places he loved: La Viña de Andrés Romeo for his father, Carmen for his mother, Alma for the soul of his village. In July, just weeks before he died, he hosted an eleven-vintage vertical of Contador at Etxebarri. He worked right to the end.

🍾 THE LINEUP 🍾

🥂 El Predicador Tinto — Bodega Contador, Rioja
Named after Clint Eastwood’s Preacher in Pale Rider, this is the wine Benjamin made when his brothers joined the project: his style, at a friendlier price. Mostly Tempranillo with splashes of Garnacha, Mazuelo and Graciano, 16 months in French oak. The perfect introduction to the man.

🥂 La Cueva del Contador (Magnum) — Bodega Contador, Rioja
The wine that started it all. Benjamin’s first release came out of that cave beneath the castle in 1996, and the name has stayed on the label ever since. 100% Tempranillo, 18 months in new French oak, and tonight we’re pouring it from magnum. A farewell deserves a big bottle.

🥂 Alma — Bodega Contador, Rioja
Alma means soul, and this is Benjamin’s tribute to the soul of San Vicente de la Sonsierra. Tempranillo with a touch of Garnacha from bush vines within a few kilometres of the winery, aged in new French oak. One of his most recent releases, and one we may shed a small tear over.

🥂 El Predicador Blanco — Bodega Contador, Rioja
The Preacher, in white. Viura, Garnacha Blanca and Malvasía, fermented in barrel: proof that Benjamin’s touch didn’t stop at Tempranillo.

🥂 Qué Bonito Cacareaba — Bodega Contador, Rioja
The name means something like “how beautifully it clucked”, and one sip will have you clucking too. Garnacha Blanca-led with Viura and Malvasía, fermented and aged in new French oak: creamy, powerful, with the acidity to keep it all in line. One of the great whites of Rioja.

YOUR HOST

Martha has been sharing her love of Spanish wine for more years than she’d care to count, and tonight she’ll tell Benjamin’s story one glass at a time. She runs the room like a conversation, not a lecture: she wants to know which wines you love and why, she’ll ask guests to score their favourites and chat about which they preferred, and she makes you feel part of the whole experience. Join in as much or as little as you like. Questions are always encouraged.

WHAT’S INCLUDED

✔ Five Benjamin Romeo wines, including La Cueva del Contador from magnum
✔ Tapas pairings
✔ Expert guided tasting with Martha
✔ First pick from a thin list of limited-edition Benjamin wines
✔ A proper toast to a Rioja legend

€60 per person | One night only: Thursday 10 December | Limited to 16 guests | 6pm – 8pm
Martha’s Vineyard Moraira — where every bottle has a story.