Bodegas Ysios, Rioja Alavesa, Spain
The mountains and the winery seem to merge into a single breathtaking composition. The Sierra de Cantabria mountain range forms a dramatic backdrop, like a giant cinema screen displaying an ever-changing nature film. Rising to 1,300 meters, the dark, rugged mountains protect the vineyards from the harsh winds and weather sweeping in from the Bay of Biscay. Only when approaching the winery does one fully appreciate how perfectly the building integrates with the surrounding landscape.
In Spain, a winery is often much more than a production facility—it is a family estate, a traditional hacienda, a place for gathering, hospitality, and, naturally, enjoying wine. Bodegas Ysios embodies this tradition. Set within 720 dunams (approximately 72 hectares) of vineyards, the estate is centered around its striking, colorful, terraced winery building.
The winery was specifically designed to support a linear winemaking process, allowing every stage of production to progress efficiently along a straight line, without unnecessary deviation.
Owned by the French beverage giant Pernod Ricard, the winery was constructed using extensive amounts of wood, aluminum, and colorful glass. Inside, every detail serves the production of exceptional wines, with a special emphasis on Tempranillo, the grape variety that defines Rioja, northern Spain, and Spanish wine culture as a whole.
Tasting Note – Ysios Reserva 2007
Ysios Reserva 2007 showcases Tempranillo at its finest. Deep ruby-red in color, it opens with elegant floral and ripe fruit aromas. The wine is full-bodied and beautifully structured, with refined complexity, well-integrated tannins, and flavors of toasted almonds layered over delicate smoky notes. The finish is long and satisfying, revealing ripe red fruit, cherries, and cassis.
A quintessential Spanish wine—best enjoyed alongside authentic Spanish cuisine
