PITA Finca la Cantera 2016

Get to know: PITA Finca La Cantera 2016

Spanish white wine from the heart of Rueda, crafted from old-vine Verdejo and now beautifully evolved with nearly a decade of age.

Tasting Note

PITA Finca La Cantera 2016 is a rich, complex Verdejo that shows just how well this Spanish white wine can age. Originally powerful and creamy in its youth, it has now settled into a more refined, layered style after around ten years in bottle. Deep golden in colour with bright clarity, it opens with aromas of baked citrus, yellow plum, dried apricot, and toasted brioche, alongside subtle vanilla and a gentle herbal edge typical of Verdejo. On the palate, this Rueda Verdejo is surprisingly fresh and textured, with flavours of ripe stone fruit, almond, and a touch of spice, all supported by a line of acidity. The oak is now fully integrated, bringing notes of pastry, cinnamon, and fine wood, while the finish is savoury, and slightly nutty with lingering herbal complexity. A beautifully mature Verdejo that combines richness with balance and real personality.

Top food pairings:

• Seafood rice dishes such as arroz with prawns and squid
• Grilled salmon or richer fish dishes
• Soft cheeses or baked brie with herbs

Kate Says

"This is Verdejo with a bit of age and swagger – it’s gone from bold and creamy to something more savoury and complex. One for when you want a white with real depth."

Producer Info

Pita Family Wines is a small, quality-focused producer in Rueda, specialising in expressive Verdejo from carefully selected vineyard parcels. Working in the sandy, well-draining soils of Rubí de Bracamonte, they focus on low yields and meticulous vineyard selection, producing limited quantities of wines that highlight both fruit concentration and the ageing potential of this classic Spanish grape. Their approach combines traditional methods with thoughtful oak ageing to create structured, age-worthy Rueda wines. The Finca La Cantera 2016 production was limited to 3000 bottles.

How it’s made:

• Varieties: 100% Verdejo
• Hand-harvested from selected parcels for concentration and balance
• Careful selection and gentle pressing of the best fruit
• Fermented in 300L French oak barrels
• Aged for 8 months on full lees in oak with regular bâtonnage, then further aged in bottle

Good to know:

• Region: Rueda, Spain
• Style: White, still, full-bodied
• Closure: Cork
• Vegan: No
• ABV: 13%
• Vintage: 2016

Why we love it:

This Rueda Verdejo shows a completely different side of Spanish white wine – aged, complex, and full of savoury character. With its combination of ripe fruit, integrated oak, and evolving herbal notes, it’s a brilliant option for those looking to explore how well high-quality Verdejo can develop over time.