From a Dutch dream to an organic winery in the heart of Valencia
The Dutchman Derrick Neleman did not come to Spain as a winemaker – he came as a seeker. In 2014, he founded the project now known as Bodegas Neleman after stumbling upon a forgotten cooperative winery from 1961 in the small village of Casas del Rey. The villagers, who had once founded the winery together, supported him in reviving the building. Four years after starting, Neleman took full control of the existing organic winery – and developed it into a serious wine estate. In 2021, an in-house bottling plant was added in Aielo de Malferit, which has since held IFS, BRCGS, organic, and vegan certifications. Today, Derrick Neleman and his team distribute their wines to 35 countries, and over 5,000 fans are part of the project as co-owners.
Jurassic soils, zero pesticides, lived biodiversity
The vineyards are located west of Valencia at an altitude of almost 900 meters, laid out on small terraces amidst olive and almond trees – in the Hoces del Cabriel Natural Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The soils originate from the Jura and provide a mineral depth that does not develop in the flatter locations of Valencia. No pesticides, herbicides, or fungicides are used in the vineyard: Neleman sees healthy soil as a prerequisite for expressive grapes, not as a marketing argument. For every 175 bottles produced, a tree is planted – biodiversity as an integral part of the operation, not an accessory.
Cellar master Jorge Monfort Salvador is responsible for vinification. His focus is on preserving native grape varieties: Bobal, Monastrell, Garnacha, Tempranillo, Marselan, Verdil, and the endangered Tardana grow here on old vines that store the Mediterranean climate and the cool high-altitude nights in the grapes.
Direct, varietal, with character – from entry-level to single-vineyard lines
What unites Neleman's range is a clear style: fruity without heaviness, structured without drying out, with a straightforwardness that arises from clean grape material and consistent thinking in the vineyard. The Bobal shows what the region is capable of – dark berry fruit, firm acidity, no excess wood. White and international varieties like Sauvignon Blanc add an aromatic directness that suits Mediterranean cuisine. Labels like "30 Wishes," "50 Reasons," or "Just Fucking Good Wine" signal the house's tone: no pompous reverence, no appellation snobbery – wine as an honest pleasure for everyday life. With this, Neleman has established a region that long lacked a reputation as an independent organic destination on the map.
