The red: Tempranillo at its most intense

100% Tempranillo. Hand-harvested, with a second selection in the winery.
Alcoholic fermentation is split between 500-litre oak barrels and a concrete vat. Ageing, around 8 months, follows the same split.

The result:

• Colour: deep cherry red, well covered, with rims of great intensity.
• Nose: high aromatic intensity, with plenty of red fruit reminiscent of blackcurrant, pomegranate and cherry, finishing with elegant toasted notes.
• Palate: juicy red-fruit tannins, good acidity giving freshness and weight.

Pairs well with small game and feathered game, wild mushrooms, red meat, duck and cheese. Recommended serving temperature is 17 °C; open the bottle an hour beforehand and serve in a large glass. Recent accolades: 95 points (Tim Atkin, Rioja 2021), 94 (2022), 96 (2024), 93 from James Suckling (2024), and a further 94 points in the Rioja 2025 Special Report.

The white: an ambitious Viura

100% Viura. Also hand-harvested, with selection in the winery.
Here, fermentation and ageing — around 8 months — are split between 500-litre oak barrels and a concrete amphora, on fine lees.

The result:

• Colour: bright straw yellow.
• Nose: hints of yellow fruit, such as quince and pear, intertwined with vanilla and elegant toasted notes.
• Palate: fresh and light, with a medium mid-palate showing citrus and mineral flavours, balanced acidity, and a long, saline finish.

Pairs well with seafood salpicón, shellfish, chargrilled fish, feathered game and cured cheese. Recommended serving temperature is between 14 °C and 16 °C; also open the bottle an hour beforehand and serve in a large glass. Its first major accolade: 93 points in the Rioja 2025 Special Report by Tim Atkin.

Two wines, one same standard

Hand-harvested. Rigorous selection. About 8 months of ageing split between barrel and a second vessel. The red, intense and spiced, for meat and game. The white, fresh and saline, for seafood and chargrilled fish. Different in character. Equal in standard.

This is not a new concern. For centuries, the wine world solved this challenge underground: with calados—traditional underground cellars carved into the earth that maintained a constant temperature throughout the year without any mechanical cooling. These historic cellars, also found in Rioja Alavesa, existed long before refrigerators. Today, without having to dig a cave beneath our homes, we can follow the same principles.

Temperature: the most important factor

Wine prefers stability over extreme cold. Ideally, it should be stored between 12 and 16°C (54–61°F), away from heat sources such as sunny windows, radiators, or appliances that generate heat. Frequent temperature fluctuations are far more harmful than a consistently slightly higher or lower temperature.

Avoid direct light

Light—especially sunlight—can damage wine over time. That is why many wine bottles are made from dark-colored glass. Store them in a dark place or, at the very least, away from direct sunlight.

Be careful when transporting wine by car

A car trunk in the middle of July can reach extremely high temperatures in a very short time. If you need to transport wine, try to do so during the cooler hours of the day, avoid leaving bottles inside a parked car in direct sunlight, and, for longer journeys, use an insulated bag or portable cooler whenever possible.

Once the bottle is opened

A white or rosé wine will stay in good condition for 2–3 days if properly sealed and refrigerated. A red wine can last slightly longer, especially if tightly recorked, although it is always best enjoyed as soon as possible to appreciate its full range of aromas and flavors.

Serve it at the right temperature

In summer, it is tempting to serve wine ice-cold, but a white wine served too cold loses much of its aroma, while a red wine served at room temperature on a hot day can feel heavy and overly warm.

Our Blanco Joven, fresh and fruity, is at its best when served between 8–10°C (46–50°F). Our Maceración Carbónica, for example, becomes even more refreshing when served slightly chilled, between 14–16°C (57–61°F). Wines with greater structure, such as our Selección Privada or 7 Varietales, are best enjoyed a little warmer, between 16–18°C (61–64°F), allowing their complexity to fully express itself.

With these simple precautions, every bottle will reach the glass in the best possible condition—ready to be enjoyed exactly as it deserves, even on the hottest days of the year.

Right now, in the vineyards of Rioja Alavesa, the vines are in the bud swelling stage. The buds are starting to swell, and almost without noticing, the first shoots appear. This is the visible beginning of a new vintage.

This moment sets the rhythm for everything that will follow. The plant reactivates, the root system resumes its function, and the vine starts growing strongly, shaped by the climate, the soil, and careful vineyard management. It’s a brief, but decisive, stage.

Bud Swelling: the first sign of life

Bud swelling is the phase in which the buds, closed all winter, begin to swell.

At first glance, the vine may still seem dormant, but internally, the plant is already active. Sap starts circulating, temperatures rise slightly, and the vine prepares to grow.

It’s a very delicate moment, as any sudden change—such as a late frost—can directly affect the plant’s development.

Shoot Emergence: the vineyard turns green

Soon after comes shoot emergence. The buds open, and the first green shoots appear, small and fragile, which will develop into shoots, leaves, and eventually clusters.

The vineyard changes completely. What a few weeks ago was bare wood now begins to fill with life.

Shoot emergence is not only the visible start of the new vintage, it also largely determines the vine’s potential. The number and quality of the shoots will influence the balance of the plant and shape the entire growth cycle.

A new cycle… also in the glass

This awakening of the vine coincides with a natural shift in how we enjoy wine. Days grow longer, temperatures soften, and we naturally look for fresher, lighter, and more lively wines.

At this time of year, two Dominio de Berzal wines are especially suited:

Parcelas Viura, a white that expresses freshness and balance, with an acidity that adds tension and lengthens the finish. Perfect for appetizers, light meals, or simply enjoying in the sun.

Graciano, a red with a more agile and vibrant profile, marked by a fresh touch that makes it unique and very versatile at this time of year.

What we see today in the vineyard—the small shoot just breaking through—is the origin of everything that will come.

Spring doesn’t just start a new cycle in the vineyard. It also shapes the style of the wines we enjoy in this season: fresh, balanced, and lively.

Not Just About Turning One Hundred

A centenary vineyard is defined by vines that are more than a century old. These plants are true survivors, having withstood historic plagues and extreme weather
conditions over the decades. As Iñigo explains, their value lies in their resilience: “They are pre-phylloxera vines, dating back to before the phylloxera plague, which have
adapted and endured in this land for more than a century.” Having overcome so much, they have developed very deep root systems that allow them to reach nutrients other
vines cannot access and to self-regulate naturally.

Quality Over Quantity

One of the most fascinating characteristics of these vines is their low yield. As elderly plants, they produce fewer clusters, but what they offer is of exceptional quality.
Iñigo uses a very illustrative analogy: “These vines concentrate more fruit within each berry, with more intense and riper flavors. It’s a bit like the difference between perfume
and cologne; centenary vineyards are that concentrated perfume, while younger vineyards would be the cologne.”

Moreover, caring for them is an act of respect for the past:

Bush-trained vines (gobelet system): They are maintained using the traditional training system.
Manual cultivation: The work is done by hand, respecting the viticultural practices passed down from generation to generation.

Wines with Identity and Soul

How does all this effort translate into the glass? The result is wines with high aromatic intensity and enviable structure. Thanks to the vine’s natural selfregulation,
the balance and ripeness achieved are, in Berzal’s words, “almost perfect. Beyond technique, however, there is an emotional factor. “They are wines with a story
behind them; the passage of generations grants them a unique identity and soul.” At our winery, we have the privilege of caring for a centenary vineyard in the “La
Salmuera” parcel. From this very special corner comes one of our most distinctive projects: Recient. What makes this project unique is that, starting from a vineyard
with more than one hundred years of history, we dare to craft a young wine. It is our way of bottling the freshness of the present with the wisdom of the past.

This white is produced for the first time from the 2023 harvest, using 5% white Viura from our singular vineyard of Las Laderas de José Luis. A small percentage, almost discreet, yet enough to create a wine with its own soul and a strong connection to our family history.

A vineyard that is part of us

Las Laderas de José Luis has been part of the Berzal family for generations. A vineyard that we have seen change over the years, worked generation after generation, and that continues to speak to us about the land we come from.

Situated on a south-facing slope, between 500 and 560 meters in altitude, and planted on clay-limestone soils, this vineyard hosts vines over 50 years old. The low yield, around 4,000 kg per hectare, is part of its natural balance and the quality of the grapes it provides.

In this environment, the Viura expresses freshness, precision, and a marked mineral personality, a direct reflection of its place of origin.

Crafting without losing essence

The harvest is done by hand, as has always been the family tradition, with a careful selection in the winery. This wine is made with 100% white Viura, aiming to accompany the grape without masking it.

Fermentation and aging last approximately 8 months on fine lees, combining 500-liter oak barrels and concrete amphorae. Two different materials, one single intention: to provide texture and complexity without losing freshness or identity.

The tasting: expression of the place

In the glass, Las Laderas de José Luis White shows a bright straw yellow color. Aromas of quince and pear appear, accompanied by soft notes of vanilla and elegant roasted touches, naturally integrated.

On the palate, it is a fresh, light, and balanced wine, with medium body, citrus and mineral flavors, and well-defined acidity that extends the journey. The finish is long and saline, leaving a clean and honest memory.

A wine that won’t always be available

Las Laderas de José Luis White is not a wine intended to be repeated every year. It will only be produced in vintages where the white grapes from the vineyard reach exceptional quality. Therefore, it may not always be available.

This is a decision faithful to our way of working: respecting the vineyard, the vintage, and the story behind each bottle.

Discover it in our online shop.

This young wine, made using carbonic maceration, preserves the style that has accompanied our family for generations. A wine to be enjoyed unhurriedly, yet one that captivates from the very first sip.

This year, the story grows: we have crafted a limited edition of 3,300 bottles, a special production that preserves its timeless essence while offering more opportunities to share it.

The grapes come from a mythical vineyard for us: La Salmuera, a century-old site that continues to gift us clusters full of character. Tempranillo (90%) sets the pace of the wine with all its fruit, while Viura (10%) adds that bright, fresh touch that makes Recient so instantly recognizable.

Harvesting is still done by hand, because that’s how we understand this wine: close, respectful and full of intention. The whole clusters go straight into the tanks, where the magic of carbonic maceration begins. After around ten days of gentle fermentation, the wine is pressed and completes its transformation in stainless-steel tanks.

In the glass, Recient 2025 displays a bright red hue that hints at what’s to come. On the nose, you’ll find crisp red fruits, delicate floral notes and a slightly sweet touch reminiscent of liquorice and redcurrant. On the palate, it’s juicy, lively and silky, with a balance that always invites another sip. A sincere, vibrant wine full of life.

What to pair it with? Appetizers, rice dishes, grilled fish, cheeses, white and red meats… and any occasion that calls for a toast to what’s just beginning.

It is now available in our online store for 9 euros.

The essence of an indomitable grape

Graciano is a unique variety. Scarce, delicate and demanding, it only reveals its true potential when cared for with patience, precision and respect. Each bunch is the result of meticulous work among old vines and soils that breathe tradition.

In Baños de Ebro, in the heart of Rioja Alavesa, our vines coexist with the climate, the wind and the earth to give life to a wine with its own character, impossible to imitate.

A wine with soul

Graciano 2024 is a red wine that speaks for itself: intense, fresh and elegant. On the nose, it displays aromas of ripe black berries, enveloped in subtle citrus notes. On the palate, its balance is surprising: fine tannins, silky texture and a lingering finish reminiscent of dark chocolate.

Each sip is an experience that connects you with authenticity, with the purest essence of our land.

Authenticity celebrated

This new vintage is not only a reflection of an exceptional year; it is also a testament to our passion for honest viticulture, which respects the natural cycle of the vineyard and lets the grapes speak for themselves without artifice.

Because at Dominio de Berzal, we believe that authenticity is not manufactured: it is cultivated, cared for and shared.

Find out more about our Graciano 2024 and the spirit behind each of our bottles at 👉 www.dominioberzal.com.

Two protagonists

After many meetings and talks, the two protagonists of all these meetings were the Crianza and the always surprising Laderas de José Luis. Two wines that explain by themselves all our baggage of tradition and modernity.
Now you can continue to discover our philosophy and enjoy one of these two wines or the rest of our balanced, daring and respectful range of wines.

Characteristics

Dominio de Berzal Blanco Joven is a wine with a high content of freshness and fruitiness. Its alcoholic fermentation preserves all the primary aromas of the grapes, which evoke fruits in which the range of citrus fruits and varieties of apple and pear stand out.

This youthful wine is composed of a blend of 90% Viura and 10% Malvasia.

With a beautiful green colour, bright and very clean, this wine has already made a place for itself at the table. When you smell it, you can appreciate, without moving the glass, tropical nuances such as melon, pineapple and a hint of banana. If we shake the glass, the freshness stands out and citric nuances that define this wine are noticeable.

And when it enters the mouth, freshness makes an immediate appearance, although the good balance between alcohol content and acidity can be appreciated. It has a medium palate and, despite being young and fresh, it has a long aftertaste. This is where the fruitiness that characterises this wine is concentrated.

In company

Almost all wines go well with good company. And this wine is a good companion for aperitifs, for those light meals with light flavours that usually start a meeting or an evening. Fish, mild seafood, white meats and rice dishes. Few dishes are as suitable for meals with family and friends as a rice dish. Dominio de Berzal Blanco Joven is the best friend of these rice dishes.

Recognition

Young and fresh, Dominio de Berzal Blanco Joven does not fail to attract the attention of critics and the public. Thus, the specialist Tim Atkin took notice of this wine and awarded it 89 points consecutively in two reports in 2022 and 2023.

It is a good choice in any case, but it is the best way to start. In summer, this wine goes like no other in the number of firsts that fill the summer calendar.

Vintage
The vintage 2023 had a very hot end of summer. This was very good for this variety because Graciano needs many hours of sunshine. In addition, in September there was some rain, but it was also hot and sunny, so this variety was very grateful for it. In fact, Iñigo Berzal, the winery’s oenologist, points out that “of all the years we have been working with this single varietal, the ripening of this vintage was one of the best”.
Iñigo affirms that this Graciano has a very strong varietal character, and in this case, “circumstances have allowed us to present a Graciano in all its expression”.
As for the harvest, the Graciano has had a very homogeneous ripening, showing that it is a variety of the future because it adapts very well to dry summers like this one and those expected to come.

Characteristics
This is a single varietal wine made from graciano grapes. A rare and singular grape with which we also aim to make a singular wine. A demanding variety that requires meticulous work in the vineyard to obtain an excellent result.
Among its characteristics, the Graciano has an intense cherry red colour with a very youthful and lively edge. On the nose there are hints of black berries, blackberries, blackcurrants, redcurrants and cherry. When the glass is swirled, arid nuances of red grapefruit, salty liquorice and a light background of fresh grass intermingle.

Awards
This vintage has already begun to garner recognition in what looks set to be no shortage of awards. James Suckling’s score in his latest report. In this case, the 2023 vintage has achieved 𝟗𝟑 𝐩𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐨𝐬. For Suckling, this Graciano is a wine that is “full-bodied and concentrated on the palate, but fresh and really bright”, as well as describing it as a “textbook Graciano”.
As the saying goes, “de casta le viene al galgo” and this single varietal wine accumulates a track record that includes 91 James Suckling Points and 90 from the Peñin Guide in 2019. In addition, the prestigious specialist Tim Atkin rated this wine with 90 and 94 points in 2021 and 2023 respectively.