Berta Valgañón - Rioja Alta

Berta’s story has deep roots: before her, even before her father Alfredo, there were several generations of winemakers from her vineyards.  In the heart of Rioja Alta, at the foot of the Obarenes Mountains, the wines of Berta Valgañón are born.  Berta makes her wines from estate vineyards of organic and regenerative viticulture (some planted by Berta herself, some with her father, and some by her great-grandparents more than 100 years ago).  These old vines respond to a great biodiversity and remain standing thanks to the work and dedication of many generations.

Berta Valgañón Selección Maturana Tinta 2023

100% Maturana Tinta de Navarrete.  Certified organic. From the Finca San Chidrián vineyard in Villaseca. Planted in 2017.

Winemaking:  Hand harvested in 25kg boxes on the 4th of October.  Spontaneous fermentation and aging in a concrete tank for 11 months.  Low total SO2 (32 mg/L).  Bottled unfiltered and aged in bottle for a minimum of 8 additional months.

Production:  1,500 bottles (480 bottles imported)

Berta Valgañón Selección Tempranillo 2021

85% Tempranillo/10% Graciano/5% Garnacha. Certified organic. The best selection of Berta's grapes from a vineyard planted in 1990.

Winemaking:  Hand harvested in 25kg boxes between the 18th and 22nd of October.  Spontaneous fermentation in stainless steel and concrete tanks.  Malolactic fermentation in 500L barrels and concrete. Aged in 500-600L used French oak barrels, concrete and flextank for 18 months.  Low total SO2 (19 mg/L).  Bottled unfiltered and aged in bottle for a minimum of 1 additional year.

Production:  5,200 bottles

Tim Atkin 93:  Berta Valgañón Selección Maturana Tinta 2023

Normally a varietal Maturana Tinta, but included 10% Garnacha in 2023 for added freshness. Based on grapes from comparatively young vines in the 1.24-hectare Finca San Chidrian, it has enticing green herb and black cherry flavours, firmish tannins and no oak whatsoever. Has the structure to age further in bottle. 2025-32

Tim Atkin 91:  Berta Valgañón Selección Tempranillo 2021

Despite its name, this is not a natural wine, Berta Valgañón assures me. It's certainly a little funky and earthy, but that's part of the house style here. Made with co-fermented Tempranillo, 10% Graciano and 5% Garnacha, it combines aromas of sage, pine and forest floor with sappy, cool climate acidity and savoury tannins. 2025-28

Decanter 90:  Berta Valgañón Selección Tempranillo 2021

With some serious graphite and chocolate notes, this offers quite a lot of wine at the price point. Blueberry and red berry fruit with soft tannins and some spice lead to a soft palate with a juicy finish. From organic vines at the northwest end of Rioja Alta, at 540m-600m on the slopes leading up to the Obarenes mountains, west of Haro, on silt loam and limestone soils. 85%Tempranillo, 10% Graciano and 5% Garnacha, fermented in stainless steel and concrete tanks with malolactic fermentation in 500L barrels and concrete, followed by ageing for 18 months in neutral, 500L-600L French oak barrels, concrete and flexitank.  2025 - 2029