Refined wines define Martínez Lacuesta’s 130-year legacy
Situated in Haro, in the southwest corner of the La Rioja region of Spain, family-owned Bodegas Martínez Lacuesta is committed to crafting refined ‘Vinos Finos de Rioja’.
Founded in 1895, Martínez Lacuesta winery predates Rioja’s Designation of Origin by three decades. As one of Haro’s oldest wineries, the family-owned estate was influential in shaping the region’s wine heritage and continues to be managed across its fourth and fifth generations as an outstanding producer of fine Rioja wines.
As the Martínez Lacuesta winery marks its 130-year legacy, the character of its wines continues to be shaped by Haro’s landscape, the Rioja Alta climate and terroir, and calcareous soils, while upholding techniques handed down through generations. Under the careful guidance of winemaker and fourth-generation family member Álvaro Martínez, the winery still employs traditional methods refined more than a century ago, such as manual racking and egg white clarification. From these historic fining techniques to the long ageing regimen, patience is the ultimate investment to attain the finest quality.
The winery produces wines from grapes harvested in the vineyards surrounding Haro, maintaining its commitment not to enhance or ‘thicken’ its wines through excessive maturation, post-fermentation extractions, or, above all, the use of new barrels for prolonged ageing. Comfortable working with lower alcohol levels and freshness that highlight the terroir of Rioja Alta, the result is gentle wines made to last. Martínez Lacuesta’s wines still manage to display remarkable complexity without opulence or excessive tannins.
In terms of style, the winery maintains the two influences that have shaped Rioja since the early 19th century, when the ‘Medoc’ influence arrived in the region from France following the phylloxera outbreak. On one side, the Bordeaux influence is represented by the winery’s namesake, the Martínez Lacuesta line; on the other, the Burgundy influence, as noted on the labels in the late 1930s and 1940s, with the Garnacha-led Campeador line. In the first line, the winery’s ageing potential is linked to the exclusive terroir of its vineyards, while in the second, it is more associated with specific vineyards and plots. According to the winery, the secret to its refined craftsmanship on both labels is time, especially the potential of its wines for bottle ageing.
In addition to crafting reds, Martínez Lacuesta specialises in white Rioja wines and has been producing its white wine-based Lacuesta Vermouth since 1937. The aperitif combines aromatic herbs and plants sourced from various sources, aged in French oak casks.
At the 2025 Rioja Masters, Martínez Lacuesta secured the top title as Grand Master and also received a Gold medal.
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Martínez Lacuesta Hinia
- Producer: Bodegas Martínez Lacuesta
- Region: Rioja
- Country: Spain
- Vintage: 2021
- Grape varieties: 100% Viura
- ABV: 13%
- Approx. retail price: £80
- Medal: Grand Master
For the first time, our best wine of the competition was white, a reflection of the quality potential of barrel-aged Viura, and confirmation that Rioja’s blancos are on the ascendant. As for the character of our Grand Master, called Hinia, this Reserva white Rioja is an outstanding wine, with layers of wonderful flavours, combined in a way one tends to only find in this Spanish region. By that I mean, there are notes of caramel and baked apple, toast and almond, combined with grilled lemon and blood orange, along with a touch of beeswax. As for the texture, it’s an appealing mix of oak-influenced richness and grape-derived freshness, with a citric edge, along with a fine dusting of tannins too, ensuring the finish is dry and mouth-watering – as well as suitable for a range of foods, particularly Spanish tortilla with a runny centre, or aged Manchego with fried Padron peppers. (Patrick Schmitt MW)
Martínez Lacuesta Colección Familia
- Producer: Bodegas Martínez Lacuesta
- Region: Rioja
- Country: Spain
- Vintage: 2012
- Grape varieties: 75% Tempranillo, 20% Graciano, 5% Mazuelo
- ABV: 13.5%
- Approx. retail price: £50
- Medal: Gold
A seriously fine and fully mature Rioja with a brick red appearance and appealing characters of dried cherry, prunes, sweet balsamic and leather, cedar and pepper, followed by blood orange and a dusting of fine dry tannins too. Refreshing, but full in mouth-feel and flavour too. (Patrick Schmitt MW)
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