Félix Lorenzo Cachazo
Rueda, España
Cachazo is the oldest family producer from DO Rueda with vines that are almost 140 years old. Félix Lorenzo Cachazo, is one of the founders of the DO Rueda and one of the vintners who discovered Verdejo and evolved it into the popular, energetic white wine style it is today.
Their Story
Félix Lorenzo Cachazo started his journey in the world of wine working in one of the old underground wine cellars in the village of Pozaldez (Valladolid), giving life to the old “Amontillados” wines – a variety of sherry wines.
There is little left of these strong and special wines, but we must not forget that they were the seed of today’s modern and successful Verdejo wines.
Félix was one of the catalysts of the evolution of white-winemaking styles in Spain, a change that resulted in the salvation of the Verdejo grape, which at that time seemed destined to disappear. This shift, from “Amontillado” to “Verdejo wines,” was formalized with the creation of the Rueda appellation in 1980; the Cachazos cemented their place in history as one of the eight founding families of that appellation. Today, Cachazo remains the only family-owned winery from those original eight.
Founded: 1946
Owner: Félix Lorenzo Cacho
Winemaker: Ángela Lorenzo Heras
Annual Production: 12,000 cases
Winery Location: Pozaldez in DO Rueda
Vineyard: Rueda; Alcazarén Village
How We Met
Felix’s son Eduardo is good friends with José Luis from Bodegas Tabula. After lamenting to José Luis about not finding good Verdejos, he told me – “Go see my friend, who’s got a great story to tell you.” I thought I knew enough about Rueda, but the history of this place (holdings of pre-phylloxera vines) and forgotten oxidative styles captivated me. Not to mention these incisive, energetic wines happen to have helpful scores (I know, I know, but they don’t hurt).
Quick Facts on D.O. Rueda
HISTORY: Established 1980, Rueda produces almost entirely white wines made of Verdejo. Until around 50 years ago, Rueda produced oxidative fortified wines. It was investment from the Marques de Riscal winery in Rioja, that spurred the transformation of the region.
TODAY: The area has seen exponential growth in the last twenty years. The fruity, crisp early drinking style of the Verdejo wines, together with an attractive price point, has been extremely popular on both the domestic and global markets.
TERROIR: The region is a patchwork of vineyards of flat high plains south of Valladolid. Short spring with late frosts, hot and dry summers, frosts and cloudy during winter. Red sandy clay soils that are deep and well draining. 700 – 800 meters above sea level.