Ascensión Yébenes

She is a native of Valdepeñas, a wine-producing area in Castilla-La Mancha, Spain.  Wine is in her family: her grandparents were viticulturists/growers, so she grew up around vineyards and harvests.

In 2008, she joined Bodegas Mano a Mano. She manages the winemaking team, making decisions on vineyard material (old vines, training methods, soil/water stress, etc.), varietal selection, timing of harvest, fermentation, and ageing. Her oak usage is balanced and oriented toward enhancing expression rather than overwhelming fruit.