Viura

52-60 2023 is the third vintage of this distinctive blend of red and white grapes by Abel Mendoza. The wine comes from small, contiguous plots in Mondiarte, in Labastida. The vines are around 60 years old and are planted on red sandstone soils. The vineyards are farmed organically. The blend is made from Tempranillo, Graciano and Garnacha, complemented by white grapes such as Garnacha Blanca, Malvasía Riojana and Viura. Only 1,407 bottles were produced.

50 year old vines. 2,500 bottles. This is Abel Mendoza's top white wine. A perfect blend of 5 different varietals; Viura (aka Macabeu), Malvoisie, White Tempranillo, Torrontés et White Grenache.

Viura is another name for Macabeo. At Abel Mendoza, this 100% Viura comes from old vines scattered across different plots, often planted among other traditional grape varieties. The vines are around 40 years old on average and grow on clay and limestone soils. At Abel Mendoza, Viura is often the most austere and taut of his single-varietal white wines. Production of 3,300 bottles.

Something very special ! This wine comes from a small vineyard in Sajazarra, of which 2/3 is over 100 years old and 1/3 is Tempranillo of 40 years old. The final field blend ensures we get a light very floral wine with lots of character.

Beautiful classic white Rioja wine composed of several grapes sourced from plots in Fontaleche, Sajazarra and Labastida. Complex white wine that perfectly reflects their philosophy.

Eva and Oscar's classic white. This wine has been aged for 4 years before being launched on the market. It pays homage to the traditional long-lasting whites of the Rioja. Both complex and original.

This was their first fully owned vineyard (they bought it in 2016). Beautiful plot of over 100-year-old vines in Fonzaleche. Rioja of Grand Cru level.

Typical clarete: a blend of red grapes (Garnacha tinta) and white grapes (Viura). This is a fine example of a “Blouge” wine, a contraction of blanc and rouge. Historically a very classic style for this region, it is now rarely produced.

Limited and original project from the Anton family. Orben's wines are limited and distinct in the range anyway, but this Chocolate is another story in its own right. Sourced from a number of small vineyards totalling 0.8 ha at an altitude of 520 m, located between Laguardia and Villabuena de Alava. Very poor terroir with sandy soils and little water. 3 vintages are always blended into 1 wine.

El Calado del Espino 2023 is the third vintage of this white wine by José Gil. The wine is made from 100% Viura, sourced from two plots: one in San Vicente de la Sonsierra and a smaller part from Labastida. The vines are around 50 and 80 years old respectively and are planted on limestone-rich soils. The soils are very shallow, with the rock close to the surface. This gives the wine its taut, mineral character. Only 1,780 individually numbered bottles were produced.

This cuvée is a tribute to the two brothers' paternal grandfather who bought the Peñaescalera vine in Baños de Ebro. A vine with a veru low yield, located at the high end of the village, so for a while no one harvested it anymore. And as the soil was very stony, no one would have been "loco" (crazy) enough to buy it in the 50's. But the loco grandfather did it, and its 2.8 hectares now called Finca de los Locos, produced a magnificent wine. And we are all crazy about it!

Jarrarte is the second wine, alongside the white single-varietal wines Viura and Malvasía, which are produced in very limited volumes (approximately 1,200 bottles per variety). The total production of Jarrarte is around 4,000 bottles. Jarrarte means “between the stones” in Basque, a reference to the poor soils in which the vines are planted.

This "village wine" (the village in question being Labastida, in Rioja Alavesa) is a blend of four different parcels lying at some 500 metres above sea level.

An outstanding price-quality relation. Mirone Blanco is a pleasant, fruity, consensual wine. Mirone means ladybird. In the 11th century, Prince Mir Gilbert studied the world of insects and his signature was a ladybird.

One of José's crus from San Vincente, at 540 metres above sea-level. Field-blend, mostly 50 year-old Tempranillo and a little Viura. Mostly calcareous soils, with a lot aromatic herbs and shrubs around the vineyard.

Fernando has always had a majority of white grapes in his vineyards. Along the years, the quality of his white wines has regularly improved. And now his blanco is at the top of Rioja's whites. Since 2011, he has also been producing a white reserva. Both cuvées are on par with the best white Burgundies. The grapes come from a 600 m high vineyard in San Vincente de la Sonsierra, on clay and limestone soils.

The latest release by Remirez de Ganuza - a white wine, this time. It comes from a small vineyard in Samaniego, at 600m above sea level. Only old vines of viura (aka macabeo).

Roda I Blanco is a highly ambitious project from this top estate. A dedicated underground cellar was built especially for it, next to the existing bodega. Impressive! Agustín Santolaya’s ambition is clear — he aims for nothing less than creating the finest white Rioja, with his usual meticulous care for the vineyards. The winemaking pays tribute to the classic white Riojas.

This "village wine" (the village in question being San Vincente de la Sonsierra, in Rioja Alta) is a blend of four different parcels lying at some 500 metres above sea level.

This "village wine" (the village in question being San Vincente de la Sonsierra, in Rioja Alta) is a blend of four different parcels lying at some 500 metres above sea level.

Trasnocho means "wine of one night". A real fruit bomb!

Trasnocho means "wine of one night". A real fruit bomb!

One of José's crus from San Vincente, at 515 metres above sea-level. Field-blend, mostly 40 year-old Tempranillo and a little Viura. Calcareous soils, North-East orientation.

This Old Vine Reserva is a real gem. All the features of a Gran Reserva.

This "village wine" (the village in question being San Vincente de la Sonsierra, in Rioja Alta) is a blend of four different parcels lying at some 500 metres above sea level.