Bodegas Pascual Larrieta

This small family-owned winery is in Samaniego, which sits under the foothills of the Sierra de Cantabria mountains, in the heart of Rioja Alavesa. Many old village houses here have retained their old gravity-fed winemaking cellars for prosperity and are a fascinating glimpse into Rioja’s history – particularly carbonic maceration winemaking which remains a tradition in Rioja Alavesa. Miguel and Rosa farm just 25ha high-altitude vineyards and their commitment to quality can be seen everywhere – from their immaculate vineyards to pristine winery and tasting room. Tradition is respected whilst modernity embraced with pneumatic presses and stainless-steel fermenting vats. The wines are aged in a combination of French and American oak.