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| Bodegas Ysios | |
|---|---|
| Name | Bodegas Ysios |
| Location | Laguardia, Álava, Basque Country, Spain |
| Appellation | Rioja Alavesa |
| Founded | 2001 |
| Owner | Grupo López de Heredia? |
| Varietals | Tempranillo, Graciano, Mazuelo |
Bodegas Ysios is a winery located in Laguardia in the Rioja Alavesa subregion of Rioja (DOCa), Spain. The estate is known for combining contemporary Santiago Calatrava-inspired architecture with production of Tempranillo-based wines rooted in Riojan tradition. Situated near landmarks such as the medieval walls of Laguardia (Álava) and the Ebro River, the winery occupies a place in the network of Rioja producers alongside houses like Lopez de Heredia, Marqués de Riscal, and Bodegas Muga.
Ysios was established in the early 21st century during a period of modernization in Rioja (DOCa) that included investment by Spanish and international entrepreneurs. The project reflects connections to figures and institutions such as Santiago Calatrava, whose design practice links to projects like the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao and the City of Arts and Sciences. Its founding coincided with broader trends involving firms like Pernod Ricard and Ferrer Salat investing in Spanish wineries, and with institutional frameworks including the Consejo Regulador de la Denominación de Origen Calificada Rioja and regional administrations in Basque Country. The winery developed vineyards and cellars near historic properties like the Palacio de los Varona and collaborated with local viticulturalists from municipalities including Elciego and Haro. Over time Ysios has interacted with wine critics and publications such as Robert Parker, Wine Spectator, Decanter (magazine), and Jancis Robinson.
The building is internationally noted for a roofline that references sculptural works by Santiago Calatrava and echoes organic forms present in projects like the Milwaukee Art Museum and the Auditorio de Tenerife. Its commission involved architects and engineers familiar with firms such as Arup (engineering consultancy) and design studios akin to Foster + Partners. The structure has been compared to architectural icons including the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, the Sydney Opera House, and projects by Zaha Hadid. The winery’s plaza and visitor spaces engage with the historic urbanism of Laguardia (Álava) and the viticultural landscape of Rioja Alavesa, drawing parallels to museum conversion projects like Marqués de Riscal (Frank Gehry) and cultural nodes such as Museo del Vino (Wine Museum) initiatives across Spain. Engineering solutions reference materials and methods used in modern constructions like the Millau Viaduct and the Sagrada Família conservation efforts.
Vineyard holdings are located in parcels characteristic of Rioja Alavesa soils—limestone and clay—near appellations and terroirs studied by institutions including the University of La Rioja and the Instituto de Ciencias de la Vid y del Vino (ICVV). Grapes include Tempranillo, Graciano, and Mazuelo (Carignan), cultivated with practices akin to those promoted by the Federación Española del Vino and research programs sponsored by the European Union's rural development funds. Fermentation and aging draw on technologies used across Rioja by producers such as Bodegas Roda and CVNE, combining stainless steel tanks, concrete vinification, and oak barrel programs influenced by French coopers like Boutes, Seguin Moreau, and Bertrand Père et Fils. The estate’s viticultural calendar aligns with phenological studies from bodies like Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria.
Labeling and marketing place Ysios among contemporary Rioja brands that emphasize single-vineyard and limited-production bottlings, paralleling offerings from Artadi, La Rioja Alta, S.A., and Remelluri. Core wines feature Tempranillo prominence with blends incorporating Graciano and Mazuelo, released in formats comparable to Rioja reserves and gran reservas recognized by the Consejo Regulador de la Denominación de Origen Calificada Rioja. Packaging and graphic design dialogues have involved agencies and designers associated with projects for El Celler de Can Roca and boutique wineries that target audiences reached by publications such as The World of Fine Wine and retail channels like Harrods and Berry Bros. & Rudd.
The winery and its wines have been featured in international competitions and coverage from entities like International Wine Challenge, Decanter World Wine Awards, James Suckling, and lists curated by Wine Spectator and Robert Parker's Wine Advocate. Recognition places Ysios within a cohort of Rioja producers alongside La Rioja Alta, S.A., Bodegas Muga, and Marqués de Cáceres that have earned medals and high scores influencing export markets such as United Kingdom, United States, Germany, and Japan. Architectural acclaim has tied the building to discussions in outlets like Architectural Digest, Dezeen, and Domus.
Visitor services leverage proximity to Basque and Rioja cultural sites including Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, the medieval town of Laguardia (Álava), and regional wine routes promoted by the Basque Government and the Rioja Alavesa Tourism Office. Tastings and tours connect with operators and experiences offered by agencies such as Viator, GetYourGuide, and local cooperatives in Álava. The winery features in itineraries that include visits to Marqués de Riscal and Bodegas Ysios-adjacent vineyards, and integrates with accommodation and culinary nodes like restaurants affiliated with the Repsol Guide and hotels admired by travel writers from The New York Times and Lonely Planet.
Category:Wineries in Spain