Portrait of Fidel Fernandez
i. Biography
Technical director at Bodegas Luis Cañas in Villabuena de Álava, Spain, Fidel Fernandez is a winemaker tied to the Cañas family’s Rioja Alavesa cellar. He has been making wines for Bodegas Luis Cañas for 32 years.
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The Climb
Fidel Fernandez trained at Enology, laying the groundwork for a career shaped by technical precision and steady advancement. He went on to work as technical director at Amaren, where his expertise deepened. Today, Fidel serves as technical director of Bodegas Luis Cañas.
Today
As technical director, he leads the technical side of the Villabuena de Álava winery. He describes the continuity of that role through the family line: “I was the family’s first employee, with Luis Sr. And with Juan Luis and now with Ion Cañas, the new generation.”
In Their Words “I was the family’s first employee, with Luis Sr. And with Juan Luis and now with Ion Cañas, the new generation.” “For us, our growers are the base of the wineries, and as important or more than the top.”
Recognition
The work is defined by vineyards and growers as much as by cellar direction. Fernandez puts the emphasis plainly: “For us, our growers are the base of the wineries, and as important or more than the top.”
FAQ
Asked of Fidel
What is Fidel Fernandez's current role?
As of 2026, Fidel Fernandez is Technical Director.
Where did Fidel Fernandez train or study?
Fidel Fernandez trained at Enology.
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The Sunday email
Read about winemakers like Fidel Fernandez in the Sunday email.
Every Sunday we send a lead story and up to four more about the chefs, winemakers, sommeliers and hoteliers behind the restaurants, bars, wineries and hotels we cover.
Recent stories
Free. One email a week, and you can unsubscribe from any issue.