Telmo Rodríguez will never forget the date of September 16, 2021. On that day, his Yjar 2017 made history by becoming the first Rioja sold in La Place de Bourdeaux, one of the oldest and most prestigious markets in the world. He had been working on this jewel wine in silence for a decade and the 7,200 bottles flew in two hours. In this questionnaire he shows the most personal facet of him. Surfing and wine are his great passions and he confesses: "In my fridge, like in Churchill's, there is always a bottle of Pol Roger".
The best gift I have received was a trip to Sicily [right] that my wife, Valentine, gave me a while ago.
And the best gift I've ever given was last September. I invited my family to go on a walking tour with Julio Villar, an adventurous friend who wrote that beautiful book entitled ¡Eh, petrel! (Youth Publisher). We crossed Guipúzcoa and Álava in 6 days without running into anyone and discovered incredible landscapes. The arrival at Our Lady of Remelluri through the Sierra de Toloño was epic. We have a great country!
The artist from whom I would buy a work if I could would be, if you let me dream, Vermeer. Like Girl with a Pearl Earring.
The last thing I have added to my wardrobe are some shoes from the Bontoni artisan workshop. Only eight shoemakers work and each one barely makes a pair a day.
My favorite clothing brands? I'm not very fond of shopping. I only go to Just One [justonemadrid.com], the shop of my friend Goyo who has been looking for the best artisans in Italy for 30 years. From time to time I stop by to see him and he dresses me up and down. Some brands that I remember are Thomas Mason for shirts, Colombo for knitwear and The Editoriall for cashmere jumpers.
The mobile charger is never missing in my suitcase. But I'm not up to date on technology, apps or websites. I don't even have a computer. I can give little advice on this, sorry.
In music I have very eclectic tastes. I listen to many French groups, influenced by my wife Valentine, my children teach me the best rap here and, for my part, I have always been very jazzy.
A confessable vice and defect are barnacles and I always leave the house leaving something behind.
No books rest on my nightstand right now. My brain is buzzing, so I've put off that pleasure until I'm calmer. But in the mornings, Valentine tells me what she is reading and I really enjoy it. His last reading of her? Mohican by Eric Fottorino.
My next purchase will be some work by Alfredo Alcain. Until January you can see his exhibition Eat a lot of fruit in a very nice store called Tiempos Modernos [tiempos-modernos.com].
My beauty ally is Relaxayvoo night oil. Every night I put four drops on my face. I really like this idea of organic cosmetics made in the old way, with real ingredients.
The last series I've seen was Mare of Easttown, on HBO.
The restaurant that has impressed me the most lately was in Ibai, in San Sebastián. A place from another era that unfortunately has just closed its doors.
My latest discovery has been a wine from a young viticulturist from Bierzo, César Márquez. It's called Sufreira, and it's a great bottle that also represents the future.
I'm not a fanatic, but the perfumes used in some stores and hotels drive me crazy. I am lenient with the hospitality industry. It is a very hard job and they have had a terrible time.
The best advice I've ever been given is: "Do things slowly and cheaply."
My most valuable possession? I think that the small vineyard of Las Beatas may be one of the most beautiful things I have.
