Mas l'Altet | Valencia

Nina Coolsaet and Alfredo Esteve

"Each bottle has its own life."

At the heart of Bodega Mas l’Altet are the twin passions for family and for wine. Nina Coolsaet and Alfredo Esteve, the wife-and-husband team behind this small, artisan winery in Valencia, met by happenstance on the first day of master’s study of oenology at Aranda del Duero. Both engineers, the couple had enrolled independently to indulge their love of wine. When Alfredo entered the classroom, there was only one seat open – next to Nina. The rest, as they say, is history.

When it came time to start their own project, Alfredo and Nina turned to family history for inspiration. Alfredo’s beloved grandfather was a farmer who shared with his grandson the dream of reviving the winemaking tradition on the family land, where the vines were all lost a century ago to Phylloxera. (Even before Alfredo met Nina he had experimented by planting some vines on the property.) But now the couple together planted two hectares, and as an homage they decided to call the resulting wine “Avi” – the Catalan word for “grandfather.”

Made from Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Garnatxa the wine is notable for its freshness, ripe fruit, good acid and integrated wood. Balance and harmony in the glass and in the field are touchstones for Alfredo and Nina who strive to make wine that infused with the spirit of life, love and culture. “With total respect for Mother Nature we make wine,” says Alfredo. “Each bottle has its own life.”

Learn more about Bodega Mas l'Altet here.