Cesar Marquez is one of the most exciting voices to emerge from Bierzo in recent years, part of a new generation of winemakers redefining what the region can deliver. Over the past decade, Bierzo has evolved dramatically with a renewed focus on vineyard sites, villages and individual parcels. This shift has put the spotlight firmly on terroir. With Bierzo’s mix of altitude, exposure, soils, and its remarkable concentration of old vines, only a handful can rival the region's diversity.
Cesar’s journey has been shaped by one of Spain’s most influential figures in natural and terroir-driven wine: his uncle, Raul Perez. Widely respected for his work across northwest Spain, Raul’s commitment to site expression and minimal intervention has been both an inspiration and a guiding influence. Together, they also vinify wine for the family’s estate (Castro Ventosa), blending traditional wisdom with contemporary sensibilities.
Since launching wines under his own name in 2015, Cesar has steadily built a reputation for clarity and balance. Centred on old-vine Mencia grown on steep, hand-worked slopes, his wines favour precision and nuance. They are expressive without being heavy, detailed without feeling overworked: vibrant, approachable and deeply reflective of place.
Demand has grown quickly in Spain and beyond, and critics have taken notice. That momentum was cemented in Tim Atkin MW’s 2025 Bierzo report, where Cesar Marquez was named Winemaker of the Year, and his 2023 Bierzo ‘Villegas’ Mencia was awarded a perfect 100 points. This glowing recognition underscores both the quality of the wine and the clarity of Cesar’s vision.
These are wines for drinkers who value authenticity and craftsmanship: confident, nuanced expressions of Bierzo that feel as relevant today as they are built to age.