Bodegas de Ayala ‘Vina Santurnia’

Dating back to the 18th century, the de Ayala family built strong roots in the village of Brinas, Wine production began in the mid 1800’s with Tomas de Ayala and in 1970, Tomás’ grandson, Ramón de Ayala, together with his wife Flora Orive (also raised in a family in the winemaking business), started selling their wine, under the brand Viña Santurnia. They were one of the first wine producers to obtain the Denomination of Origin Rioja.      

Now Gonzalo de Ayala, and his uncle Ramón, work together in the vineyards and cellar to produce traditional wines of Crianza, Reserva and Gran Reserva status. Today they are a 30 ha estate, with 8 ha of old vines near Brinas and a small parcel of vines in the area, outside of Haro, known as the meander de Tondonia. Their vineyards, nestled at the foothills of the Sierra Cantabria on calcareous clay soils, are right on the line separating Rioja Alta and Rioja Alavesa. With few (but well-known) neighbours their old vines are at a slightly higher altitude for the area and benefit from the windy slopes surrounding them. The quality of the fruit is so important for the long ageing required to obtain a balanced Reserva, and Gran Reserva wine.

They practice lutte raisonnée in the vineyards and only spray as a last resort. The cellar is clean and well organized, when you have so many vintages in one location for the ageing, there must be order!

The Crianza is 100% tempranillo which is hand harvested and undergoes traditional fermentation, before ageing for at least 12 months in barrels (80% American oak and 20% French oak). It is then  aged in bottle for a further 6-12 months. The Reserva is a blend of90% tempranillo, 5% mazuelo and 5% Graciano with traditional fermentation. It is then ageing in barrel for 20-30 months (80% American and 20% French) plus an additional 12-24 months in bottle. The Gran Reserva comprises 90% tempranillo, 5% mazuelo and 5% Graciano from vineyards of 50+ years old. Traditional fermentation before 24-36 months in oak (80% American and 20% French) with further ageing for 36-48 months in bottle.

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