30 years of Basa: the story behind the iconic Verdejo
This year, Basa by Telmo Rodríguez celebrates its 30th anniversary. A remarkable milestone for a wine that has become indispensable on the shelves and which has played a significant role in the success of the Verdejo grape. But Basa is more than a straightforward white wine; it is a story about vision, pioneering, and rediscovering Spanish wine traditions.
The Beginning: Back to Basics
The story of Basa begins in the mid-1990s, when Telmo Rodríguez teamed up with Pablo Eguzkiza to establish the 'Compañía de Vinos Telmo Rodríguez.' At that time, Spain was barely known for its white wines. Yet, they believed in the country's potential.
Inspired by their experience in France and the rich Spanish wine history, they dreamed of reviving old, abandoned vineyards and working with nearly extinct, indigenous grape varieties. Their journey led them to the northwest of Spain, where they became fascinated by grapes such as Treixadura, Godello, and Verdejo.
Instead of following the trend of international grape varieties, they consciously chose a different direction: back to the roots. With respect for terroir, tradition, and local grapes, they put Basa on the map in Rueda in 1996, named after the traditional 'vaso' vine form of the vineyards.
A Pioneer for Verdejo
With Basa, Telmo and Pablo proved that their vision was correct. The wine quickly became a success and played a crucial role in changing the international perception of Spanish white wine. Not only did Rueda gain a new place on the map, but Verdejo also evolved into a grape of global stature.
Basa grew into a pioneering project. It inspired other producers and contributed to the rise of Rueda as a leading white wine region. Today, many renowned wineries are still active in the area that flourished partly thanks to Basa.
The style of Basa remained recognizable over the years, loyal to its origins:
- fresh and accessible
- fruit-driven and without wood influences
- a pure reflection of the Castilian landscape
Basa Today: An Icon with a Story
After 30 years, Basa has grown into more than just a successful wine. It has become an icon that stands on the tables of top restaurants worldwide and is poured at home during special moments.
The wine still reflects the landscape of Rueda: limestone soils, stony vineyards, and the characteristic pine trees typical to the region. Fresh, pure, and honest, just as it was always intended.
On the occasion of the 30th anniversary, Basa received a renewed label in 2026, designed by renowned graphic designer Fernando Gutiérrez. For the first time, Telmo’s name also appears on it, along with the iconic pine trees, a tribute to the wine's origin and history.
Rediscovering Forgotten Wine Regions
The success of Basa was the start of something bigger. Thanks to this project, Telmo and Pablo could further develop their mission: rediscovering forgotten wine regions throughout Spain. From Ribera del Duero and Rioja to Galicia, Toro, and Málaga. Everywhere they searched and found unique terroirs with their own stories.
Perhaps that is the greatest achievement of Basa: not just a wine loved for its style but a project that has contributed to the revaluation of Spanish wine as a whole.
Watch the video of Telmo Rodríguez talking about Basa
