Grape: Graciano

Geography: Rioja, Spain

Appellation: Rioja

Features: Organic, Biodynamic, Sustainable

100% Graciano sourced from grapes grown in the villages of Laguardia, Leza, and Paganos. Fermented with indigenous yeasts in concrete vats where it is matured for six months with lees before bottling. A rare opportunity to taste 100% Graciano from the cool climate region of Rioja Alavesa.

An elegant yet powerful grape varietie with notes of liquorice root, violets and eucalyptus. In the mouth the red fruit shines through along with some spice. Graciano is a late ripening grape variety that is rarely bottled as a mono varietal due to its temperamental nature. A rare and appealing wine.

Bodegas Bhilar is a boutique winery located in Elvillar, Rioja Alavesa, run by husband and wife team, David Sampedro and Melanie Hickman. Their goal is to make terroir-driven wines with soul, respect the land, work only with indigenous grapes, and to share their unique wines with good people with positive energy. In the year 1999, David started learning about the biodynamic philosophy and changed how he cared for his vineyards. First, he converted to organic farming and then began following tenants to recover the harmony between man, earth, vines, and cosmos. In 2014, tractors were eliminated and horses were brought back to farm the vineyards.