Remirez de Ganuza
Rioja Alavesa, Spain
Founded in 1989 by renowned viticulturist Fernando Remírez de Ganuza, Remírez de Ganuza has become one of Rioja's most influential and innovative estates. Located in the heart of Samaniego in Rioja Alavesa, the winery was built on a singular vision: to elevate the region's traditional winemaking through uncompromising vineyard selection, meticulous craftsmanship, and a relentless pursuit of quality.
The estate farms 80 hectares of its own vineyards, encompassing more than 200 individual plots spread across 70 vineyards in nine municipalities nestled beneath the Sierra Cantabria. Many of these vineyards are planted with old vines, prized for their low yields and remarkable concentration, while the diversity of soils, elevations, and exposures allows each parcel to express its own unique character. This mosaic of exceptional terroirs forms the foundation of wines that are unmistakably Rioja Alavesa—structured, elegant, and profoundly expressive.
From the very beginning, Remírez de Ganuza challenged convention by refining every stage of the winemaking process. One of the winery's most celebrated innovations is the manual separation of Tempranillo clusters during harvest. The perfectly ripened shoulders of each bunch are reserved for the estate's flagship Reserva and Gran Reserva wines, while the remaining fruit is destined for younger expressions. This painstaking attention to detail reflects a philosophy that no compromise is too small when crafting wines of exceptional precision and longevity.
Harvesting is carried out entirely by hand into small 12-kilogram boxes to preserve fruit integrity, followed by rigorous grape selection and meticulous cellar practices designed to protect the purity of every berry. Long ageing in predominantly new French oak barrels, combined with extended bottle maturation before release, allows each wine to develop the complexity, balance, and finesse that have become the hallmark of the estate.
Innovation has continued to define the winery throughout its history. Proprietary techniques, including the unique gravity-assisted extraction system developed for the acclaimed Trasnocho, demonstrate a commitment to preserving freshness while extracting remarkable depth and elegance. At the same time, the winery has expanded its portfolio to include internationally acclaimed white wines crafted from old-vine Viura, proving that Rioja's potential extends well beyond its celebrated reds.
Today, under the guidance of longtime head winemaker Jesús Mendoza and an experienced team dedicated to Fernando Remírez de Ganuza's founding vision, the estate continues to set benchmarks for modern Rioja. International recognition—including the historic 100-point score from The Wine Advocate for the 2004 Gran Reserva and numerous accolades from leading critics—has cemented Remírez de Ganuza's reputation as one of Spain's most respected producers.
Remírez de Ganuza represents the perfect balance between innovation and tradition—a winery where meticulous viticulture, groundbreaking techniques, and profound respect for Rioja Alavesa's exceptional terroir come together to create wines of extraordinary depth, elegance, and age-worthiness.
Visit the Brand’s Website:
