Bodegas Moraza
Rioja

Bodegas Moraza is an insight into the history of Rioja, but more importantly into its future. For six generations the Moraza family have grown grapes and produced wine in the village of San Vicente de la Sonsierra, but in 2011 when Janire Moraza took over, change occurred.

Having spent time abroad studying, Janire saw the changes occurring in wine agriculture around the world as well as a desire from consumers for more digestible wines. Upon returning home she convinced her father and uncle to convert completely to organic farming and seek new opportunities exporting their wine. Until then Moraza had only sold wine in Spain.

Located in the village of San Vicente de la Sonsierra, high above the Ebro river in Rioja Alta, Moraza sit at the base of the Cantabrian and Toloño Mountain ranges. With altitude between 450–700 meters, the climate is dry and cool, influenced by the Atlantic, Mediterranean and Cantabrian seas.

They farm 23 hectares of vines spread across 13 parcels; 11 are in San Vicente de la Sonsierra itself and two parcels in the neighbouring village of Abalos. The majority is planted to Tempranillo supported by Garnacha, Graciano, Viura and Tempranillo Blanco, the soils calcareous clay. Moraza are one of the few producers in Rioja to be certified both organic and biodynamic.

Their style is different to that of their neighbours. It's the result of two factors, firstly picking early — having fruit with phenolic ripeness yet ensuring it retains a level of freshness. Secondly, this is an oak-free winery — vinification and èlevage for all red wine is done in concrete.

The concrete winery was purpose built in 1983 with everything designed for gravity feed to the cellar. Their methods are traditional — how Janire’s grandfather’s generation made wine, before Rioja became industrialised and tailored to the international market. These are wines lower in alcohol without manipulation.

Moraza produces pure, unadulterated expressions of Tempranillo and Grenache. This is the new face of Rioja.