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New collections from Viña Eguía show the many faces of Rioja
Viña Eguía in Rioja is upping its cultivation of varieties other than Tempranillo, making diversity the name of the game.
Some might say: “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” while others, driven by a curious spirit and an insatiable urge to innovate, continue to stalk down change. Viña Eguía, in Rioja, belongs firmly in the latter camp.
With grapes sourced from all regions of Rioja, thanks to controlling 750 hectares of vineyards between Rioja Alavesa, Rioja Alta and Rioja Oriental, the producer has a diverse menu of varieties to choose from, allowing for greater complexity in its wines. Apart from Tempranillo, bottles from Viña Eguía may contain any of 11 varieties, ranging from Viura, Malvasía, Maturana, Garnacha Blanca, Verdejo, Chardonnay and Tempranillo Blanco on the white side, to Garnacha, Mazuelo, Graciano and Maturana Tinta on the red. The producer intends to increase its focus on grapes other than Tempranillo, the dominant grape of the region, giving it a clear point of difference from other Rioja winemakers, and a broader palette of flavours in its wines.
In doing so, Viña Eguía represents the full vinous treasures of Rioja, spanning north to south and east to west, giving consumers and retailers a rich overview of the region in its entirety.
Viña Eguía has recently launched a new wine range in the UK, and plans are afoot to add another two distinctive collections in the market in 2025, marking the next exciting chapter for the brand.
Already available is a four-strong collection of bi-varietal wines made from two grapes each – for example, Garnacha and Graciano. The range comprises four different bi-varietal expressions to choose from, housed in bright, social media-friendly packaging.
Prioritising village terroirs
Meanwhile, three single-varietal releases – a Tempranillo from Elciego, a Graciano from Laguardia and a Garnacha from Alfaro – home in on the specific character of each village’s terroirs.
Finally, Eguía’s flagship range, which includes three blends – one white and two reds (one of which hails from selected old vineyards) – explores the balance between approachability and ageability. These top-tier wines will benefit from some time in the cellar, but are also drinking superbly upon release.
“These wines will surprise the market with their coupage, varietal diversity and emphasis on origin and regional characteristics,” says Viña Eguía’s winemaker Chema Ryan.
UK consumers can expect to see much more from this producer next year. “We live with one foot in the vineyard and the other in the world,” says Ryan of the delicate balance of crafting premium wines with managing market demand.
Viña Eguía (which means ‘truth’ in Basque) was founded in 1973 in Elciego, Rioja Alavesa. In 2010, the winery was purchased by Spanish wine group Muriel Wines, which now owns eight wineries. As Muriel Wines conveys on its website: “Our wine collection is a collection of stories. They all have something to tell, with a different origin, a different voice and a different flavour. We tirelessly seek new stories to add to our own.”
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