Sardón de Duero – 19th November 2014: Abadia Retuerta LeDomaine, the historic winery estate in Castile y Leon, Spain, is proud to announce that “Refectorio” restaurant and its Head Chef Pablo Montero, have been awarded their first Michelin Star.
This beautiful wine estate, located in an idyllic 12th century abbey surrounded by vineyards in the winegrowing region of the Valley of El Duero near Valladolid opened in 2012 and owes its culinary success to the excellent work carried out by its dedicated kitchen brigade overseen by Head Chef Pablo Montero.
Pablo Montero, who has trained in some of the finest international restaurants, focuses his culinary creations on the inclusion of a creative twist to tradition and the use of locally-grown ingredients.
Gastronomy at the Refectorio is based on creative, contemporary lines, backed by the use of fresh produce supplied by local farmers. The area in which LeDomaine is located boasts a wealth of culinary delights that makes for coherent and varied menus renowned for their superb standards of excellence. Refectorio currently offers two tasting menus which vary in accordance with the ingredients available each season.
All these dishes are impeccably matched with wines produced on the estate and in the winery adjacent to the restaurant, home to some of the region’s and indeed the world’s most priceless jewels.
Andrés Araya, Managing Director of LeDomaine said, “We are proud of the fact that, little more than two years since we opened we have received our first Michelin Star, an achievement that was always in our plans to position our hotel as an international culinary epicentre. Today, we would like to celebrate the achievement and continue to share with our customers and friends”.
According to Pablo Montero, Head Chef at LeDomaine, “This recognition is a reward for the passion, effort and enthusiasm of the Abadía Retuerta LeDomaine team who have brought us this precious award thanks to their daily work and focus on excellence”.
Almost a thousand years ago, the monks that inhabited Abadía Retuerta would gather around the refectory table to share the meagre repasts that symbolised monastic life, whilst they listened to the chants of the monk whose task was to turn the act of eating into an exercise in spirituality. Today the setting remains unchanged, although it now houses an exclusive, top quality restaurant where the leading Sardon de Duero winery is eager to offer lovers of fine foods and wine the chance to enjoy a unique and unforgettable experience. A 17th century frieze depicting the Last Supper presides over this imposing space.
Alongside, Refectorio, guests may enjoy the attractive atmosphere of the more casual Vinoteca and the cuisine served outside in the Jardin del Claustro, the hotel’s summer restaurant.
For further information and reservations please visit www.ledomaine.es; contact: [email protected] or call +34 98 368 0368.
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Notes for editors: Abadía Retuerta LeDomaine opened in 2012 after a complete restoration that sensitively and imaginatively brought the property into the 21st century – and earned it a Europa Nostra Award from the European Union for conserving cultural heritage. LeDomaine was the first hotel in Spain to offer a full butler service and is a proud member of the prestigious Relais & Châteaux hotel and restaurant guide. Recently, LeDomaine became the first hotel in Europe to provide Google Glass for guests’ use during their stay. In addition to creating the El Santuario spa, the hotel currently is also adding eight new guest spa rooms that will be completed by summer 2015.
The Refectorio, once the abbey’s dining hall, is a sanctuary of haute cuisine under the direction Pablo Montero the hotel’s Head Chef, whose mentor is one of Spain’s superstar chefs and restaurateurs, Andoni Luis Aduriz. In addition to the Refectorio, guests dine outdoors in the Cloisters courtyard and in the atmospheric setting of the Wine Cellar.
Of the estate’s 1,730 acres of prime farmland, 500 acres are dedicated to the vine. The winery produces award-winning vintages of exceptional pedigree and is among the most advanced in Europe in combining ancient wine-making traditions with cutting-edge technology. Abadía Retuerta LeDomaine is a two-hour drive or train ride from Madrid, and a 30-minute drive from Valladolid.
About Pablo Montero: With a hotel situated within the plains of Castile y Leon, often referred to as the “breadbasket of Spain”, amidst some of the country’s finest vineyards, it might come as no surprise to hear that Head Chef Pablo Montero is inspired by the produce from the local area which powers his culinary vision.
Since his arrival at LeDomaine, the food served at the property reflects both the best of Spanish tradition and the abundant produce from the local terroir, producing a modern take on Spanish classics.
With a career spent under the tutorlage of some of the world’s best chefs, including Heston Blumental and Daniel Garcia, he was installed at LeDomaine by legendary chef Andoni Luis Aduriz of Mugaritz, the property’s Gastronomic Director who counts Pablo as one of his most talented protégés. Side by side, they have captured the essence of the region with menus perfectly complemented by the award-winning wines of the estate’s winery, Abadia Retuerta.
Media Contacts: Sue Lowry, Alexandra Pinhorn
+44 (0) 2392 361 426