In 2024, Juan José Balbás and Clara de la Fuente entrusted the stewardship of Bodegas Balbás, one of Spain’s most historic wineries, to their daughters, Patricia and María Balbás. This transition marked a significant moment in the winery’s history, as the sisters assumed responsibility as the seventh generation of the Balbás family to lead the enterprise. The origins of Bodegas Balbás trace back to 1777, when Abundio Balbás first began crafting wines from his vineyards. Over the centuries, the winery has maintained its status as a family-owned operation, passing down traditions and expertise through successive generations.
This generational shift coincides with a transformative period for the Ribera del Duero region, which has gained international recognition for its focus on quality and its unique expression of terroir. Within this region lies the “Golden Diamond,” an area renowned for its unparalleled potential to redefine Spanish viticulture. Patricia and María Balbás are resolute in their mission to position Bodegas Balbás as a leader during this pivotal era. Their stewardship encompasses the management of 140 hectares of vineyards, including parcels where some vines are over a century old. These older vines contribute to the complexity and depth of the winery’s offerings.
A defining principle of Bodegas Balbás under the sisters’ leadership is their dedication to authenticity. By cultivating exclusively estate-grown grapes and overseeing every stage of winemaking internally, the Balbás sisters ensure the preservation of the winery’s distinctive character. Their commitment to innovation, sustainability, and heritage underscores their ambition to honor the family legacy while adapting to the evolving landscape of modern winemaking.
Liz Palmer: Which influential women in the wine industry have inspired you throughout your journey?
Patricia & María Balbás: Our mother is the person who has inspired us the most in the industry. When she joined the wine sector, very few women were involved. Since then, fortunately, there has been significant progress in the integration of women. However, it is thanks to cases like hers that today, both of us have experienced such an easy inclusion.
Liz Palmer: Could you share a particularly memorable experience or achievement in your illustrious career?
Patricia & María Balbás: Neither of us has a long career in the wine industry, but in these years, we have faced great challenges, such as the Covid-19 pandemic. That pandemic forced us to develop new strategies and explore new business avenues that we still maintain and support today.
In just a few days, we had to face a complete change in the business structure, move forward in the face of a total shift in the market and society, and that posed a great challenge.
We faced very rapid changes, and one has to be very dynamic to adapt and reinvent oneself.
Liz Palmer: What recent technological innovations have you and your team integrated into your winemaking process?
Patricia & María Balbás: In 2023, we made a significant investment in the winery aimed at specializing our production processes. We introduced smaller stainless steel tanks, concrete tanks, and 2,500 liters fudres, as well as improved the production flow. This has allowed us to be more meticulous in our production, focus even more on quality, and stay at the forefront of the existing technology in the production processes.
Liz Palmer: How do you ensure sustainability and uphold environmental responsibility in your vineyard and winery operations?
Patricia & María Balbás: We are fortunate to produce only from our own vineyards. This allows us to control the entire production process, from the origin until each of our bottles leaves our winery. We do not carry out harmful processes for biodiversity in our vineyards and always ensure manual labor to contribute to the development of local communities. On the other hand, we have several processes for the recovery and maintenance of biodiversity in our vineyards, allowing for the proper development of the local fauna and flora.
Liz Palmer: What are your perspectives on the No and Low Alcohol Wine Revolution, and how has your wine estate adapted to this burgeoning movement?
Patricia & María Balbás: It is true that there is an emerging No Alcohol movement in society. This movement is gaining momentum, and there will come a time of stabilization. What is important is that efforts are focused on preventing the abusive and harmful consumption of alcohol, not penalizing any type of consumption.
As long as it is moderate, the decision to consume or not consume alcohol should be a personal choice and respected.
Liz Palmer: How do you and your team stay abreast of the latest trends and advancements in the wine industry?
Patricia & María Balbás: The best way for us to stay up to date is through direct interaction with each of our clients on a daily basis. This allows us to learn about the latest developments in each market and continue evolving alongside them, together.
On the other hand, attending international trade fairs allows us to see the latest trends each year and understand the evolution of each winery; they represent a meeting point for all the companies involved in the sector, from the producer to the final customer, and are an experience worth enjoying every year.
Liz Palmer: What advice would you offer to young women aspiring to enter the wine industry?
Patricia & María Balbás: We would tell them not to be afraid to venture into this great industry. It’s a very rewarding sector, where you learn new things every day, and the potential for growth is limitless. The integration of women is growing, and more and more of us are taking the lead. We are in one of the best moments, and we must take advantage of it.
Bodegas Balbás Website: https://balbas.es/en/
