Daniel Gómez Jiménez-Landi is the young oenologist in charge of the Jiménez-Landi family bodega wines, under DO Méntrida. His goal: to preserve the expression of the appellation’s vines, above all the old Garnachas located at an altitude of 700 to 850 metres. His creations: ‘Sotorrondero’ and ‘Piélago’, refreshing, elegant and mineral wines that few would associate with this particular region. His philosophy: to work an organic vineyard with biodynamic tools. Success has not been slow to arrive as both wines were awarded 90 points in the latest issue of The Wine Advocate.

Daniel holds a degree in Humanities and Philosophy, which might suggest that his vocation as an oenologist came late in the day. However, nothing could be further from the truth. This oenologist has harvested the family estate, endorsed by DO Méntrida, together with his cousin, José Benavides Jiménez-Landi, the bodega’s current manager, since they were both in their teens. Even then, both of them were already thinking about taking charge of the bodega when they finished their university studies, something that came about in 2004, the year in which they reengineered the whole estate, buying new machinery and taking on responsibility for the bodega. “Working on the land since childhood is very hard and you get to a certain point were you either hate it or you acquire a passion for it. I acquired a passion for it”, the oenologist states.

In 2005, Daniel obtained an MA in Oenology and Viticulture at the Polytechnic University of Madrid and began to combine his studies with trips to France, especially to the Burgundy and Rhone regions, as well as to other regions in Spain, mainly Bierzo, where he met the extraordinary oenologist Raúl Pérez at Castro Ventosa. The La Mancha oenologist’s love of travel has stayed with him over the years. “I think that one of the basic things a vine-grower has to do is to travel constantly and taste what others are making out there. Sometimes you are so preoccupied with your own things that you can’t see the wood for the trees and you need more perspective”, he explained.