25 Feb Tradition advancing step by step in Rioja Alavesa: New vintages Crianza 2022 and Carbonic Maceration 2025

At Dominio de Berzal, we understand wine as a long journey. A journey that began more than 25 years ago in Baños de Ebro and continues with each harvest, each pruning and each decision made in the winery. The presentation of the new vintages of our Crianza 2022 and our Maceración Carbónica 2025 is not just a launch: it is another step in a living tradition that is always open to further progress.
Each vintage has its own personality. Each harvest demands respect, observation and experience. This is how tradition and renewal intertwine at Dominio de Berzal.

Dominio de Berzal Crianza 2022: depth and elegance

Crianza 2022 comes from vineyards that are over 40 years old, where low yields and highly controlled viticulture allow us to work with grapes of great concentration and balance. The harvest is done by hand, taking care of each bunch from the vineyard to the winery. The wine is then aged for 12 months in French and American oak barrels, where it gains complexity and structure without losing its fruity identity.
The result is a wine with an intense cherry red colour and high intensity, clean and bright, which already shows youth and firmness in the glass. On the nose, even before swirling, there are hints of ripe black fruits accompanied by fine roasted notes. When oxygenated, mineral notes and hints of wild berries appear, integrated with elegant touches of vanilla and cedar from the ageing process. On the palate, it is warm and enveloping from the outset. It is a structured but accessible wine, complex but harmonious.

At the table, the Crianza 2022 reveals its full character. It pairs well with quality cured meats and cheeses, and has a special affinity with grilled meats, traditional roasts and small game dishes. Even oily fish cooked over a fire find a balanced ally in this wine.

This new vintage continues a tradition that has been recognised with several awards. This year, Dominio de Berzal Crianza 2022 was awarded the gold medal at the Brussels World Competition. The 2021 vintage also won a medal at the same competition in 2021.

Dominio de Berzal Carbonic Maceration 2025: energy turned into wine

In contrast to the pause of the Crianza, the Maceración Carbónica 2025 represents the celebration of the new cycle. It comes from several of the winery’s estates and is made using the traditional carbonic maceration method, a historic technique in Rioja Alavesa that preserves the purest and most fruity expression of the grape.

In the glass, it has a bright red colour with vivid violet hues, reflecting its youth. The nose is frank and expressive, dominated by aromas of red berries such as strawberries, redcurrants and raspberries. When swirled, delicate floral notes appear alongside hints of forest fruit and a subtle touch of liquorice. On the palate, it is silky and fresh. The tannins are soft, making it an accessible, straightforward and very pleasant wine to drink.

Its fresh, fruity profile makes it particularly versatile at the table. It is perfect for appetisers, cold meats and informal meals, but also pairs well with rice dishes, grilled fish, semi-cured cheeses and both white and red meats.

Same origin, two ways forward

The Crianza 2022 and the Maceración Carbónica 2025 are two different interpretations of the same land. One reflects the passage of time and the elegance that ageing brings; the other, the energy of the Rioja Alavesa tradition.

At Dominio de Berzal, we continue to follow a path that began decades ago. It is a long journey, built on experience, respect for the vineyard and a passion for wine. Each new vintage is a step forward. And each step confirms that tradition does not stand still: it evolves, renews itself and continues.