Bodegas Ostatu Rioja - Gran Reserva Blanco 2013

Ostatu is located in an 18th-century structure in the foothills of the Sierra de Cantabria range which was a former country inn (or hostel, offering hospitality; the origins of the name Ostatu) which travelers would stop for nourishment and rest on their way across the mountainous Basque Country.

The Sáenz de Samaniego family has been farming in the area since the 16th century – for so many generations, in fact, that their family name and the village’s name are the same. The winery has been growing grapes for over two hundred and fifty years. In 1970, husband and wife, Doroteo and María Asunción Sáenz de Samaniego began bottling the first Ostatu cosechero wines, utilizing the whole-cluster, carbonic maceration style which is historic to the Rioja Alavesa region. Upon realizing the exceptional quality of their vineyards and potential through a friendship with Hubert de Boüard de Laforest of Château Angélus in Saint-Émilion, the winery was modernized in 2002 by four of their six children: Mariasun, Gonzalo, Iñigo, and Ernesto. The philosophy at Ostatu has been one of constant self-improvement through blending tradition, a forward-thinking approach, and perseverance.

First and foremost, Ostatu is known throughout the area for its exceptional old vineyards, which are managed by Gonzalo with his brothers Iñigo and Ernesto, who are among the most respected and knowledgeable farmers in Rioja. They own 36 hectares of vineyards, divided into 50 micro plots, spread across several Rioja Alavesa villages. Ostatu is “Rioja mountain wine,” meaning their vineyards are located between 450-650m in the foothills of the Sierra de Cantabria mountain range, where they are protected from the cold northern wind. Soil composition here is a deep calcareous clay and the average age of the vines is 50 years, with many vineyards being much older. The poor soils and the unique location at the foot of this mountain range together create a special microclimate that is ideal for tempranillo grapes to have a long maturation, developing complex aromas and flavors.

Ostatu is part of a winegrowing tradition that has always been very environmentally friendly, a commitment that has only strengthened over time. This began with their commitment as a carbon-neutral winery through their use of green energy sources and participation in reforestation initiatives One of their great works in the last decade has been converting all 36ha of their vineyards to organic farming. Having been certified as an ecological vineyard for some years, in 2021 the entirety of Ostatu’s harvest will be certified organic. This is a monumental achievement for Ostatu, who is leading the Rioja discussion to one of vineyards and farming. 

Theirs is a comprehensive vision that involves caring for the earth, the environment, their heritage, and vineyards with the utmost respect. This approach involves a polyculture approach in their vineyards, which are integrated into the natural environment, rather than being a separate system. This also includes their involvement and significant contributions to their rural Basque community, in the form of increased economic opportunity which further acts as a catalyst for positive ecological and economic progress in their region. This is their deep commitment to constant self-improvement, which serves to improve the health of their community as a whole. This philosophy is echoed by their involvement in a new movement by some of Spain’s greatest producers, called Futuro Viñador.

Gran Reserva Blanco 2013 is a selection from a small lot (85% Viura and 15% Malvasia) and aged in used barrels. The grapes come from the highest parts of the winery’s oldest vineyards at 400-580m elevation.

Intricate aromas of ripe stone fruits, citrus zest, and toasted almonds mingle with nuances of vanilla and honey, creating an enchanting bouquet. On the palate, this Gran Reserva impresses with its full-bodied texture, creamy mouthfeel, and well-integrated acidity. Flavors of peach, apricot, and pear are complemented by subtle hints of oak and spice, leading to a long and satisfying finish.

"Fine, elegant, intense and deep nose. Fresh almonds, stone fruit, dried apricots and honey. On the palate it is meaty, fresh and with a fantastic acidity that shows signs of its long life in the bottle." - 94 Points, Tim Atkin

Producer: Bodegas Ostatu

Country: Spain

Region: La Rioja

Varietal: Viura

Appellation: Rioja

Vintage: 2013

Size: 750ml