As members of the Rioja Wine Club we were very lucky to be invited on an amazing trip to visit Rioja and explore some of their wineries and vineyards. Dan was our Butler's ambassador along with a group of various UK wine retailers, the trip was hosted by the Rioja Wine Board and involved 3 days of getting to know the incredible diversity of this iconic region and forging some fantastic new relationships with producers and sellers. Below we will layout how the trip went and just a handful of the notable producers that were visited.

 

 

The trip began with a visit to the Rioja Consejo Regulador (or the Rioja Wine Control Board) this is where every decision concerning wine featuring the coveted Rioja label is discussed and decided on. Everything from quality control, to deciding the parameters for Riojas unique wine labelling categories, the Consejo has a mammoth task of managing the global brand that is Rioja. Encompassing 100km of vines, over 570 wineries and thousands of individuals it is no small job, however this hard work and dedication is what has allowed Rioja to be a trusted wine designation and something consumers can rely on to assure quality and consistency in the 340 million bottles the region produces each year. 

 

 

Bodegas Martinez Lacuesta

The first to be visited is the iconic Martinez Lacuesta, one of the oldest family owned wineries in the region, it is steeped in history and tradition, but still manages to hold on to that personal family feel that runs throughout Rioja. Founded in 1895 by Félix Martínez Lacuesta they are located in Haro, in the heart of the Rioja region, the winery has been a pillar of tradition and innovation in Spanish winemaking for over a century. 

Bodegas Martinez Lacuesta functions as both a producer and an ambassador of Rioja wines. They oversee every aspect of the winemaking process, from grape cultivation to bottling. The vineyards, located in prime areas of Rioja, benefit from ideal climatic conditions and diverse soils, which contribute to the distinctive character of their wines. The winery produces a wide range of wines, including reds, whites, and rosés, with their Crianza, Reserva, and Gran Reserva wines being particularly celebrated. They also produce a unique vermouth, which has garnered a loyal following.

 

 

In addition to production, Bodegas Martinez Lacuesta plays a vital role in promoting Rioja wines globally. They are deeply involved in the marketing and export of their wines, ensuring that the rich heritage and quality of Rioja are recognized and appreciated worldwide. The winery is also a hub for wine tourism, offering tours and tastings that allow visitors to experience their history, craftsmanship, and the unique attributes of their wines first-hand.

We are lucky enough to already stock some of these fantastic wines and hope to have even more in the future. Have a look here on our website.

 

 

 

UKAN Winery

From one of the oldest to a fresh new face in the Rioja wine scene. Instead of a grand sprawling winery we were greeted and an unassuming industrial estate by an enthusiastic young winemaker in LaGuardia. Koldo Eguren, fifth generation of the Eguren family, leads the project with the winemaking collaboration of his cousin Eduardo. Together, they seek to reflect the Rioja Alavesa landscape into a unique wine using knowledge acquired from previous generations and adding a younger, more contemporary vision that both have learned in their international experience.

 

 

They choose to follow the Bordeaux model and are focused on producing great wine in very limited quantities. The foundation of the project is in the vineyard, where sustainable and ecological viticulture is practiced. This care for detail is spread into the winemaking process that is all fully hand-crafted.

They currently focus all of their efforts on producing just 2 wines; their flagship UKAN red which is bold and structured. Then their Senderos Ukan which is fresh and balanced. Both are made from Tempranillo grapes grown in the Alavesa region of Rioja. It was a real pleasure to get a glimpse of the modern future of the Rioja region and to experience first-hand the passion of this small team.

 

 

Bodegas Campillo

As we pull up in our coach we are greeted by a grand white façade for a stunning winery backdropped by the dramatic Cantabrian mountains. The establishment of Bodegas Campillo in 1990 marked a significant milestone in the Rioja wine region. Julio Faustino Martinez envisioned a winery that would blend architectural beauty with winemaking excellence. This vision led to the creation of Bodegas Campillo, a winery designed to integrate seamlessly with the surrounding vineyards and the natural landscape of the Rioja Alavesa region. The winery was designed by the renowned architect Ignacio Quemada, featuring a grand and modern architectural style that stands out in the Rioja landscape. The building is not just a place for producing wine; it is a symbol of the harmony between nature, architecture, and the winemaking process.

 

 

The winemaking process at Bodegas Campillo is a blend of traditional techniques and modern technology. The winery's state-of-the-art facilities allow for precise control over every stage of production, from fermentation to aging. This meticulous attention to detail ensures that each bottle of wine meets the highest standards of quality. Bodegas Campillo produces a variety of wines, including Crianza, Reserva, and Gran Reserva, each characterized by their elegance, complexity, and balance. The winery is particularly known for its red wines, which showcase the rich flavours and aromas typical of the Rioja region. 

 

 

A huge standout from this visit was the art gallery which at the time had multiple works by an incredible Madrid based artist - Santiago Picatoste Romero.

 

 

Finca Allende

Our final winery tour was at the iconic Finca Allende, (Butler's patrons may recognise this label from our shelves over years past). Finca Allende was established with the goal of producing wines that truly express the unique characteristics of the Rioja Alta terroir. Miguel Ángel de Gregorio, the visionary behind the winery who was once known as a rebel in the Rioja winemaking world, comes from a family with deep roots in Spanish winemaking. His profound respect for the land and passion for viticulture have driven Finca Allende to become a benchmark for quality in Rioja wines. Miguel Angel invented the expression ‘Rioja, la tierra de los mil vinos’ (Rioja, land of a thousand wines), has also had a running battle with the Regulatory Council to be able to define his terroir-based wines on his labels.

 

 

The name "Allende" translates to "further" in Spanish, reflecting the winery's philosophy of pushing the boundaries of traditional Rioja winemaking. The winemaking process at Finca Allende emphasizes minimal intervention, allowing the natural characteristics of the grapes to shine through. This approach includes hand-harvesting, careful selection of grapes, and using native yeasts for fermentation. The wines are aged in French oak barrels, which adds subtlety and elegance without overpowering the fruit.

Finca Allende has built a reputation for producing some of the most refined and expressive wines in Rioja. Under Miguel Ángel de Gregorio's leadership, the winery has garnered numerous accolades and high ratings from critics and wine enthusiasts around the world. Their beautiful wines were a great example of Riojas balance of cherishing tradition and also being willing to challenge the status quo and pave the way for much needed change in the industry.

 

 

This is just a small snapshot of the many producers and wines that were showcased on the trip. Regular customers will know that we already have an incredible Rioja selection, however this trip has opened up a whole new well of wines and winemakers to really help us diversify. We are fortunate to have been included within the Rioja Wine Club and our involvement will allow us to bring all of you the very best this region has to offer.

 

 

Check out our current Rioja wines here