Since 2004
Our Story
A Braid of Family, Friendship & Teamwork
"Trenza" translates to braid in English — referring to any object created by an interweaving of three or more separate strands of different materials in a diagonally overlapping pattern. A braided item is preferred over an individual strand because the braid creates a stronger, more complex, and unique item.
Generally, a braid is a braid — however, the colours, textures, materials and braiding style allows each braid to be uniquely beautiful. At Bodegas Trenza, this braid represents the intertwining of Spain's diverse terroirs, grape varieties, and the Tofterup brothers' dual cultural identities — Danish roots woven with Spanish winemaking tradition.
We believe that with the grapes we have chosen to braid together, we have taken the best characteristics that each variety has developed, and have created a strong Trenza with great personality, complexity, and uniqueness. A crafted Trenza that truly reflects the fruit, the terroir and the great potential of Bodegas Trenza.
What was once initiated by winemaker David Tofterup in 2004 has been strengthened by the partnership of his brother Jonas Tofterup MW and the creative influence of Jennifer Powell, successfully braiding together their life experiences, their respect for the vines, and their shared passion for wine. Together they hope you will be able to see the love they have for wine with every sip.
Having each travelled around the world gaining experiences with different grape varieties and different wineries, together they wanted a project where no rules applied and where they would have the creative freedom with every wine they braided together. With the inspiration of their extended families and the dedication of their team — Javier Buigues Guerrero, Lluna Gonzálvez, Nini Preciado, and Facundo Álvarez — dreams have become a reality.
Sustainability is key — all grapes are sourced from dry-farmed vineyards and more than 90% are grown organically. We believe that with the grapes we have chosen to braid together, we have taken the best characteristics that each variety has developed and created a strong Trenza with great personality, complexity, and uniqueness.
Winemaker & Founder
David Tofterup
Born in Esbjerg, Denmark in 1975, David immigrated with his family to the Costa del Sol, Spain at the age of 15. It was here that his interest in Spanish language, culture, gastronomy and wine took form. With over 25 years of winemaking experience spanning Spain, California, France, Chile, and South Africa, David is one of Spain's most globally experienced winemakers.
After graduating from Niels Brock Copenhagen Business College in 1995, he became a skilled wine cellar master in 1998 and set out on adventures across the wine world. He has worked as assistant winemaker at prestigious wineries including Mont Marcal (Penedès), Château Lestage-Simon (Haut-Médoc), Viña Tarapacá (Maipo Valley, Chile), and Foley Estates & Lincourt Vineyard (Santa Ynez Valley, California).
For 17 years as Director of Winemaking at a large, well-respected Spanish producer, David grew his knowledge and deepened his respect for Spain as a world-class wine producer — learning, exploring, and experimenting within each new region, discovering hidden treasures from the oldest vineyards to quality fruit.
David has been twice honored as Winemaker of the Year (2016 & 2018) by the UEC (Unión Española de Catadores), cementing his reputation as one of Spain's most acclaimed winemakers.
Bodegas Trenza was founded by David in 2004, together with his family, with a goal to create boutique wines meant to be shared and enjoyed. Now based in Benissa, Alicante, the bodega sources grapes from across Spain's finest wine regions — Yecla, Ribera del Duero, Rías Baixas, and Castilla-La Mancha.
Partner & Master of Wine
Jonas Tofterup, MW
Born in Esbjerg, Denmark in 1985, Jonas essentially grew up in Spain, having moved to the Costa del Sol when he was 5. Surrounded by Spanish wine culture and an older brother deep in the wine industry, Jonas decided at a very early age that he wanted to make a name for himself in the wine world.
His academic journey has been exceptional: a B.Sc. in Food Science and Technology from the University of Copenhagen (2009), an M.Sc. in Viticulture and Enology from the Erasmus Mundus Vinifera Euromaster programme (2012), the WSET Level 4 Diploma (2014), and the coveted title of Master of Wine in 2019 — Denmark's first and only Master of Wine, one of fewer than 420 in the world.
Jonas has participated in harvests across Spain, Baden and Rheingau (Germany), and Stellenbosch (South Africa). He served as European Export Manager and Brand Ambassador for a renowned Chilean winery, and as winemaker at Frederiksdal Kirsebærvin, internationally recognised for producing the world's best cherry wine.
Passionate about wine education, Jonas founded the Iberian Wine Academy in 2018, offering WSET Levels 2 & 3 in Andalucía. The Academy was awarded Best Educational Centre in Spain by the International Wine Challenge Merchants Awards in 2021.
Now back at Bodegas Trenza as partner, Jonas pours all his experience and knowledge into making delicious Spanish wines with family — filled with excitement at all the possibilities ahead.
Our Land
A Land That Has Always Made Wine
The ground beneath our bodega in Partida Canor, Benissa, has been cultivated for wine for over 2,500 years. The Phoenicians first brought viticulture to this corner of the Marina Alta. The Romans recognised the quality of its chalky limestone soils and sea-kissed breezes and built on their legacy for centuries.
By the 14th century, nearly 90 wine presses were documented within Benissa's municipal boundaries alone — a testament to how deeply winemaking was woven into the fabric of this land. The dry-stone terraces (bancalons) that still shape the hillsides today were built by generations of farmers who understood that these rocky slopes, bathed in over 3,000 hours of annual sunshine and cooled by the Mediterranean breeze, were something extraordinary.
The 19th century brought change — the Moscatel raisin trade shifted the economy, and wine production retreated. Old Monastrell and Giró vines were left on hillsides, forgotten but alive. Some of those same vines — now 50 to 100 years old — are the ones we work with today.
When David and Jonas chose Benissa as the home for Bodegas Trenza, they weren't just finding a location. They were returning wine to a place that has always deserved it.
~4th c. BC
Phoenicians introduce viticulture
1st c. AD
Romans establish vineyards
14th c.
90 wine presses documented in Benissa
16th c.
Carrer Puríssima becomes Benissa's trading heart
19th c.
Moscatel raisin boom; old vines survive
2004
Bodegas Trenza founded by David Tofterup
2026
New bodega opens at Partida Canor, Benissa
~4th c. BC
Phoenicians introduce viticulture
1st c. AD
Romans establish vineyards
14th c.
90 wine presses documented in Benissa
16th c.
Carrer Puríssima becomes Benissa's trading heart
19th c.
Moscatel raisin boom; old vines survive
2004
Bodegas Trenza founded by David Tofterup
2026
New bodega opens at Partida Canor, Benissa
The Team
The People Behind the Wines
With the inspiration of their extended families and dedication of their team, dreams have become a reality and their wines are receiving international praise.
Jennifer Powell
Creative Influence & Partner
Jennifer's creative influence has been instrumental in braiding together the life experiences, respect for the vines, and shared passion for wine that define Bodegas Trenza.
Javier Buigues Guerrero
Team Member
A dedicated member of the Bodegas Trenza team, ensuring the highest quality standards in every aspect of the winery's operations.
Eduardo Llinares Valero
Team Member
Contributing his expertise to the daily operations and quality assurance at Bodegas Trenza.
Lluna Javier Gonzálvez
Team Member
Part of the dedicated team that helps bring the vision of Bodegas Trenza to life.
Nini Preciado
Team Member
Committed to the mission of creating outstanding wines that tell the story of Bodegas Trenza.
Facundo Álvarez Haros
Team Member
Bringing dedication and passion to the Bodegas Trenza team and its winemaking endeavours.
Our Philosophy
The Grapes We Braid
Our collection of wines have been created by interweaving and highlighting different grape varieties as they thrive throughout Spain: Monastrell (Mourvèdre), Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Tempranillo, Garnacha, Bobal, and Garnacha Tintorera (Alicante Bouchet).
We also enjoy playing with Albariño, Chardonnay, Albillo Mayor, Viura, Verdejo and Sauvignon Blanc. Each of these grape varieties are recognised independently in the world of wine for the unique characters they bring to a bottle — be it purple, deep red or ruby colours, fruity characteristics, a savoury touch, refreshing acidity or an amazing ability to age.
Sustainability is key for us, so all the grapes we source come from dry-farmed vineyards and more than 90% are grown organically.
The Land
Spain's Finest Terroirs
D.O. Yecla — Home of Monastrell
Achieved D.O. status in 1975, though wines have been produced here since Roman times. The region is divided into the Campo Abajo and the cooler, higher-altitude Campo Arriba. Our vineyards are up to 52 years old in the Campo Arriba zone reaching 850 metres above sea level. Warm and dry Mediterranean climate at high altitude creates an extreme diurnal temperature range. The vast majority are reds based on the Monastrell grape — a variety that originates from this very corner of the world. Growing in importance, more than 95% of Yecla's wines are exported.
D.O. Ribera del Duero — Noble Tempranillo
"I find myself again in Peñaranda de Duero; nature leads me down a small curved dirt pathway and suddenly, I find myself surrounded by Viña Curvada. I know these century-old Tempranillo vines will offer me the quality fruit I need." — David Tofterup's diary. At 850–940 metres altitude, some of the highest vineyards in Ribera del Duero harbour parcels of up to 100-year-old bush vines near the elevated sites of Las Casqueras, Alto de las Colorados and in the Valleys of Hondo de la Vid. Extreme continental climate with hot days and cold nights produces wines of remarkable structure and longevity.
IGP Ribeiras do Morrazo — Atlantic Albariño
Situated on elevated plains on the western Morrazo peninsula between Vigo and Pontevedra. These low-yielding vineyards, planted on granite soils, are greatly influenced by the Atlantic marine climate — just a few hundred metres from the ocean. The cool maritime conditions and mineral-rich granite soils produce wines of vibrant acidity, crisp minerality and aromatic complexity.
Red Varieties
Monastrell (Mourvèdre), Tempranillo, Garnacha, Garnacha Tintorera (Alicante Bouchet), Bobal, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah
White Varieties
Albariño, Chardonnay, Albillo Mayor, Viura, Verdejo, Sauvignon Blanc, Moscatel
All grapes are hand-harvested in small 15kg crates and chilled to 5°C for 24–48 hours before fermentation in French oak barrels — preserving purity and intensity from vine to bottle. Over 90% of our grapes are grown organically on dry-farmed vineyards.
The Winery
Life at Bodegas Trenza
Old-vine Monastrell vineyards at sunset
David & Jonas Tofterup in the vineyards
David Tofterup — Winemaker & Founder
Jonas Tofterup MW — Partner & Master of Wine
Awards & Recognition
300+ International Accolades
300+
International Awards
MW
Jonas Tofterup — Denmark's only MW
4.0
Vivino Rating — 13,000+ reviews
25+
Years of Winemaking Excellence
Spanish Winemaker of the Year
David Tofterup — UEC (Unión Española de Catadores)
Spanish Winemaker of the Year
David Tofterup — UEC (2nd time)
Master of Wine
Jonas Tofterup MW — Denmark's only MW
Best Educational Centre in Spain
Iberian Wine Academy — IWC Merchants Awards
Decanter World Wine Awards
Marzal — Winner
Wine Enthusiast Feature
La Nymphina
Guía Peñín
La Orphica Sintonía — 87 pts
Vivino
4.0 overall — 13,000+ ratings