DECANTER PRESENTS... Protos tasting
Time, Land, and Soul: Discovering the essence of Ribera del Duero through eight Protos wines
Founded in 1927 in Peñafiel, in the heart of Ribera del Duero, Bodegas Protos is one of Spain’s most storied and renowned wineries. Among the first to champion the region long before the creation of Denomination of Origin Ribera del Duero in 1982, Protos combines deep-rooted tradition with a forward-thinking approach.
Join us for an exploration of Protos' range of wines - including a mini vertical of its Gran Reserva, hailing from estate-owned old vines - and discover the soul of Ribera del Duero. Each bottle tells a story of authenticity and timelessness, explaining why Protos has long become synonymous with the denomination's powerful yet approachable elegance.
Date:
Thursday 22 May 2025
Location:
Decanter Tasting Suite, 121-141 Westbourne Terrace, Paddington, W2 6JR
Timings:
18:30 - welcome drinks and tapas
19:00 - guided tasting begins
20:30 - tasting ends
Price:
£49 per person
THE WINES
Protos Gran Reserva, Ribera del Duero - Vertical tasting: 1999, 2001, 2017
Protos Verdejo Reserva, Rueda 2021
Protos'27, Ribera del Duero 2022
Protos Reserva 5º Año, Ribera del Duero 2019
Carroa, Ribera del Duero 2021 - New launch
Protos Selección Finca El Grajo Viejo, Ribera del Duero 2021
THE HOSTS
Pedro Martín-Hinojal Toro
Head Winemaker, Protos
Pedro Martín-Hinojal Toro is an experienced winemaker with deep roots in the industry. He was introduced to viticulture at an early age - his father studied oenology, and in the 1980s, the family operated a winery specialising in white wines in the Rueda region. Pedro studied viticulture and oenology at the Escuela de la Vid y el Vino in Madrid before continuing his studies in France, where he spent two years refining his expertise in the Saint-Émilion region. His international experience expanded further in the UK, where he worked for Oddbins as Assistant Manager of the flagship store in Battersea.
Returning to Spain, he held winemaking and technical director roles in DO Rueda and DO Cigales, specializing in white and rosé wines. In 2020, Pedro joined Bodegas Protos as Head Winemaker of its new rosé winery in Cigales, where he leads efforts to redefine the region’s rosé category. His mission is to craft a modern interpretation of the traditional clarete wine, focusing on freshness, balance, vibrant color, aromatic intensity, and complex texture. Under his guidance, the inaugural vintage of Protos Cigales rosé and clarete was released in January 2021. WSET Level 3 Certified
Ines Salpico
Regional Editor Spain, Portugal and South America
Decanter
Ines is Decanter’s regional editor for Spain, Portugal and South America. Born and raised in Lisbon, Portugal, she grew up chasing her grandfather among his vines in Ribatejo and thus her love for all things wine began. After completing her Masters Degree in Architecture, Ines worked as a project manager while writing about wine and doing cellar consulting on the side. After moving to London nine years ago, she decided to dedicate herself fully to the wine industry and joined the sommelier team at Michelin-starred Spring, Somerset House. Stints at Noble Rot and The Laughing Heart followed, while completing her WSET Diploma in Wines and Spirits.
Her work as a judge and writer eventually became her full time commitment and she joined Decanter in 2019 as wine database editor.
