History Teófilo Reyes
Téofilo Reyes is a living legend in Ribera del Duero: he is the one who shaped the DO as we know it. Before him, with the notable exception of Vega Sicilia, the Ribera people made “claretes”, easy-to-drink wines, not the kind of Ribera del Duero we are used to nowadays. Teófilo was born in La Horra in 1922. Trained as a chemist, he taught physics and chemistry at the school of oenology in Haro, from 1948 till 1987. He had thus a major influence on several generations of scientists and oenologists. He also co-founded several cooperatives where he taught the technicians how to make wine. In 1954, he even took the helm of Bodega Ribera Duero in Peñafiel (famous for its Protos). No one spoke of a DO Ribera del Duero, then! Téofilo stayed at Protos till 1972, and two years later he met Alejandro Fernández in Pesquera de Duero. There, Teófilo created the Pesquera, a wine that would become a benchmark for the whole region, for years. In 1992, after 20 years during which he committed himself body and soul, the collaboration ended, quite abruptly. But Teófilo was only 70 and felt too young just to rest. With his two sons Juanjo and Luís, he founded Bodegas Reyes, in Peñafiel. Their first vintage, the 1994, was soon considered as one of the world’s top ten wines. Since then, its reputation grew and grew. Its style is classic and velvety. Meanwhile, Reyes has launched a second wine, Tamiz. In great vintages only, he also makes a Reserva. Teófilo died on 25 May 2016 at the age of 94. The new owner, Pruden Zuazo Gaston gave the estate the name of 'Téofilo Reyes', for he is proud of Téofilo's achievements. Téofilo's profile even appear on the estate's flagship wine. A nice tribute for this great man.