[Martínez Bujanda] [The Wine] [Wine Reviews] [Where to Buy ]

Martínez Bujanda own over 400 hectares (1,000 acres) of vineyards in the Rioja, Alta, Alavesa and Baja. This is unusual in Rioja, where 86% of all owners cultivate less than 10 acres. It is also estate-grown fruit and, at 150,000 cases a year, one of the largest. Ownership, of course, allows the winery to maintain strict control over quality.

The attitude when it comes to grape selection is also different to most Rioja wineries which have completely abandoned the use of Mazuelo the traditional grape variety. The Bujandas feel that a high proportion of Mazuelo (up to 20% in Gran Reservas) helps the wine to age better, and its high acidity gives the wines a structure that can stand up to a wider variety of foods.

So although it is difficult to grow, has a low yield and must be aged for longer, a typical reaction from Jesús Martínez Bujanda is "My philosophy is that wines should age very slowly, yet still be enjoyable in their youth." Not a man to let hard work and perseverance stand between him and a great wine.