Once again, Taberna del Alabardero is proud to present its monthly wine dinner, an event that has become a highlight for our guests. Each month, we feature a prestigious Spanish winemaker and craft a menu designed to showcase their wines alongside our traditional Spanish cuisine.
This month, we are honored to welcome Alberto Orte, one of Spain’s most visionary winemakers. Co-founder of Olé & Obrigado, Alberto has dedicated his career to discovering remarkable terroirs, reviving nearly extinct grape varieties, and replanting ancient clones that would otherwise be lost. His vineyards span Jerez, Valdeorras, Rioja, and Yecla, where he works with old vines and high-altitude plots to produce wines of exceptional character and balance.
Born into a winemaking family in Madrid, Alberto began working in the vineyards of Montilla-Moriles as a teenager. After studying law at the University of Madrid, he partnered with Patrick Mata at the age of 24 to create Olé & Obrigado, and later earned a master’s degree in viticulture at the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid. While Patrick handles business and marketing in the United States, Alberto remains in Spain, personally selecting, vinifying, and producing his wines.
Alberto is renowned for his meticulous approach, both in the vineyard and in the cellar. He favors low yields, balanced soils, and careful handling of each grape variety to craft wines that reflect their terroir. His methods are organic and biodynamic whenever possible, and his winemaking philosophy emphasizes elegance, balance, and age-worthiness rather than power or exuberance.
His work includes reviving over 200 old clones and nearly forgotten varieties in Jerez alone, such as Tintilla and Vijiriega, as well as cultivating exceptional old-vine Garnacha, Viura, Merenzao, and Monastrell in Rioja, Valdeorras, and Yecla. Alberto produces two lines of wines: Alberto Orte, highlighting unique terroirs, and Vinos Atlántico, from village-designated vineyards that are more approachable.
We are especially grateful to Olé & Obrigado for their collaboration in making this special evening possible.
Join us for this extraordinary event, where Alberto Orte himself will guide you through a selection of his wines, while the Taberna del Alabardero team has crafted the menu and wine pairings exclusively for the occasion, ensuring a perfect harmony between each dish and wine.
Álvaro Correas
Sommelier
