Through its daily chores in the vineyards and the Bodega, SANTALBA sets out to make wines whose quality is the highest and which have an individual character. Honesty, the best quality grapes, experience, knowledge and passion, passed down from previous generations, allow us to offer the finest wines to our clients. Ecological grape-growing, continuous development through R&D&I, a sustainable system and the desire to hold onto the most genuine Riojan wine-making customs are what characterize and define Bodegas SANTALBA.

Since the beginning of my exporting career I have long dreamt of having my own small "bodega", where I could make a few bottles of wine of the best quality possible. Briones, in the heart of the Rioja Alta, gathered all the conditions I was looking for: old steep vineyards of Tempranillo grapes, chalky soil and a climate showing a marked Atlantic influence. Declared a town of historic and artistic merit, Briones is where we decided to site our bodega. Twenty years ago, we restored an old 19th Century house on the outskirts of the town. On the adjoining land we built facilities for vinification, barrel and bottle ageing and planted a small experimental vineyard. Now, as one of the smallest and youngest wineries in Spain —our first vintage was 1994— our wines are among the most prestigious in the country, and we are exporting them to over 30 markets. This encourages us to grow, not in quantity, but to constantly improve our style; how to get the best from each grape and each barrel. To continue to enjoy our wine-making.