Address: Ctra. de Zaragoza, Km 5, 26006 Logroño
Telephone: +34 941 271 370
rrpp@marquesdemurrieta.com
www.marquesdemurrieta.com

Situated in the southern most part of La Rioja Alta, Marques de Murrieta has owned and managed its 300 hectares for approximately 130 years. Primarily planted with Tempranillo, with lesser portions devoted to Graciano, Garnacha and Mazuelo, alongside lesser amounts of white grapes, including Viura, Malvasia, and Ryan’s favorite, Garnacha Blanca! Historically, however, this emblematic winery has had a long and adventurous past, beginning in 1822 with the birth of a Peruvian named, Luciano Francisco Ramon de Murrieta. At age 2, Luciano moved with is family to London, where he spent the majority of his childhood years. Having enlisted in the Spanish army, Luciano’s passion for wine grew, and in 1844, he moved to Spain to export wine internationally. It wasn’t until 1878 when Luciano devoted his energy towards the production of his own brand by purchasing the Ygay Estate, near Logroño. Four years later, the Marques de Murrieta brand was born, with the confirmation of Marquesado de Murrieta from Queen Isabella II.

Wine Produced: Marqués de Murrieta Rioja Reserva Finca Ygay, Marqués de Murrieta Rioja Reserva Dalmau, Marqués de Murrieta Rioja Reserva Capellania Blanco, Marqués de Murrieta Rioja Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial

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Ryan

Address: Bodegas Ctra de Vitoria-Laguardia 1, 01307 Samaniego, Alava
Telephone:+34 945 609 133
bod.ostatu@euskalnet.net
www.ostatu.com

Doroteo Saenz de Sanmiego is part of the third generation, honored with upholding this winery estate since its inception in 1970 when Gloria de Ostatu first laid foot on the land. Harvesting 33 hectares of 20% young vines and 80% old vines of Tempranillo, Graciano and Viura located around the village of Sanmiego and huddled close to the Cantabrian mountains. I’m unclear if there is a tie between the name of the town and the namesake of the winery, but it would be an interesting to find out. In total, the bodega owns 430 new French oak barrels, housed in their winery built in the 1988.

Wines Produced: Ostatu Blanco Fermentatado en Barrica, Blanco Joven, Tinto Maceracion Carbonica, Crianza, Reserva Gloria de Ostatu, Laderas del Portillo Finca El Portillo

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Ryan

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Ryan

Address: Vinos de los Herederos de Marques de Riscal, Torrea 1, 01340 Alava
Telephone: +34 945 606 000
marquesderiscal@marquesderiscal.com
www.marquesderiscal.com

Having spent the better half of an afternoon touring through the City of Wine, we can tell you that although the initial shock of seeing radiant shades of pink and green slowly creep up over the sandstone horizon takes a few moments to wear off, the entire estate is truly worth a visit. From the Cathedral of Wine, a cellar filled with 150,000 bottles dating back to the time of Queen Isabella II up until the present day (85% is said to be drinkable), to the space age design of Frank Gehry’s metallic hotel, designed to mimic the windswept vineyards, it’s a site to behold.

The majority of Marques de Riscal’s 1,508 hectares (200 ha. of which are their own) are located in El Ciego, Alava, while the rest stretch out across the surrounding villages. Harvesting primarily the Tempranillo grape, additional plantings of Graciano, Mazuelo and Cabernet Sauvignon can also be found. Vines are approximately 5-15 years old for their Rose, 15-30 for their Reserva and 30+ for their Gran Reserva wines.

The original cellar built in 1858, is a monument to wine, with its windy and narrow, stone-covered hallways, cobweb decorated ceilings and inflused with a mesmorizing aroma of barrel aging. It’s everything you would imagine a historic cellar to feel like. But since that time, the winery has moved locations, in addition to three renovations in 1883, 1968 and 2000. Today, Marques de Riscal sells between 4.5 to 5 million bottles a year of which 60% is sold to 76 different countries around the world.

Wines Produced: Marqués de Riscal Rosado Joven; Bodegas Marqués de Riscal; Reserva; Gran Reserva; Barón de Chirél

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Some of the Food Culture of La Rioja (warning may cause salivation)

An Aussie’s Take on Rioja Wine

The Catavino Rioja Epic Continues!

What is the Flavor of Rioja?