spanish wines - Rioja

This micro-vinification wine is made with hand selected grapes (berry by berry) from the best and oldest vines. The production is only one to two barrels per year. There are only 36 bottles available for the Belgian market!

This cuvée only uses the best grapes from the oldest vines. Its precise origin can thus vary from one year to another according to the ripeness and quality of the grapes.

This unique project was born on the occasion of La Buena Vida's 25th anniversary, in collaboration with Abel and Maite. The grapes come from some 2 hectares in San Vincente de la Sonsierra, mainly Tempranillo with some white grapes and Graciano round the corners. All these vines were planted between 1967 and 1969, except a little part of the Tempranillo (in 1978). The parcel lies between 540 and 560 metres above sea-level, very close to the famous Bardallo cru. the soils are clay and limestone, with some silty-loamish areas. The parcel's name comes from the 116 tenth-century tombs scattered around the vineyard. This is one of Abel's best and most beautiful vineyards, so exactly what we needed to produce a wine worthy of our 25th anniversary!

A Crianza-level wine, but the bodega cannot use this term (nor Reserva) because its production is too limited.

The carbonic maceration method is traditionally used in Rioja. However, these Riojas are hardly comparable to Beaujolais wines, which are lighter and fruitier than Riojas made from Tempranillo grapes.

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.

50 year old vines. 2,500 bottles.

Viura is another name for Macabeo. Annual production of this wine: around 2,500 bottles

A micro-vinification from selected grapes, berry by berry, in the best parcels of old vines. Only one to two barrels are produced each year, so only 36 (thirty-six!) bottles are available for Belgium. One of the only wines made with 100% Graciano.

This cuvée only uses the best grapes from the oldest vines. Its precise origin can thus vary from one year to another according to the ripeness and quality of the grapes.

One of their grand crus, from a vineyard in Fonzaleche, planted by Eva and her father in 1992. La Calleja is a classic in the making. Pure Tempranillo expression from authentic winemakers.

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.

Typical Clarete : blend of red grapes (Garnacha tinta) and white grapes (Viura). Traditionally very classic for this region, but hardly made by anyone anymore.

Artuke's "Premier Cru" wine. Their youngest vine, 3.9 hectares planted in 1999 in Samaniego, 700 metres above sea level - hence its particular character.

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!