If anyone embodies the promise and spirit of The New Spain, its Alvaro Palacios. One of nine children born to the owners of Riojas respected Palacios Remondo, Alvaro studied oenology in Bordeaux, while working under Jean-Pierre Moueix at Ch. Pétrus. He credits his tenure at Pétrus for much of his winemaking philosophy and for showing him the importance of great wines.