There is much more to Bodegas Ysios than its awe-inspiring architecture – this is a producer that combines innovation, authenticity and superlative quality.
Few wineries in Spain can match the architectural splendour of Bodegas Ysios.
Designed by Santiago Calatrava, its distinctive silhouette has made it a landmark for wine lovers and design enthusiasts alike. But beyond the iconic exterior, Ysios has refined its identity through a thoughtful journey of winemaking evolution.
Chief winemaker Clara Canals has played a pivotal role in this transformation. Her vision and dedication to the vineyards of Rioja Alavesa have helped shape a new era for Ysios – one defined by precision, authenticity and an unwavering commitment to terroir. Today, Ysios stands not only as a beacon of modern architecture but also as a benchmark for modern Rioja.
Under Canals’ leadership, Ysios has emerged as a prominent voice in the region, with the winery embracing single-vineyard expressions and artisanal techniques, earning respect for both its innovation and authenticity.
At Barcelona Wine Week, held in February, Canals and Sarah Jane Evans MW co-presented a curated selection of Ysios’ most expressive wines, offering a glimpse into the winery’s present as well as its exciting future. As Evans noted, Ysios today is defined by its deep connection to the land and a bold vision for the future.
The Barcelona Wine Week masterclass offered a window into this exciting chapter. Ysios is no longer just a striking building – it is a symbol of modern Rioja, shaped by passion, precision and purpose.
Here, we explore eight wines that capture the essence of the Ysios philosophy, all of which have enjoyed critical acclaim, including Master and Gold medals at The Rioja Masters.
Ysios Selección 2019
Selección 2019 is Ysios’ signature Tempranillo, crafted from old vines across Rioja Alavesa, each at least 35 years old. Vinified in separate plots and aged for over a year in French oak, it expresses the region’s diverse micro-terroirs.
With vibrant red and black fruits, forest berries and a refined minerality, the wine is polished and elegant, balancing tradition with contemporary finesse. It exemplifies Ysios’ meticulous vineyard selection and thoughtful craftsmanship.
Ysios Blanco 2022
A standout white from high-altitude Viura vines, Ysios Blanco 2022 is crafted using a blend of fermentation vessels – oak, stainless steel, concrete eggs and amphorae. The result is a layered, mineral-driven wine with notes of apple, pear, acacia flower and orange peel, enhanced by subtle lees ageing. It is a structured yet fresh expression that elevates the profile of white Rioja.
Ysios Rosé 2023
Made from old-vine Garnacha, Ysios Rosé 2023 undergoes cold maceration to preserve its delicate aromatics. Pale salmon-pink, it delivers notes of raspberry, pear and apricot, with floral hints and a fine, refreshing texture. It’s a refined rosé that showcases the elegance of Rioja’s Garnacha.
Ysios Finca El Nogal VS 2020
From a single 0.9-hectare plot planted in 1964, Finca El Nogal produces intensely concentrated Tempranillo. Fermented in open wooden vats and aged in French oak and concrete eggs, the wine is juicy, structured and elegant, with red berries, spice and refined oak notes.
Ysios Finca Las Naves VS 2019
This historically rich wine comes from a pre-phylloxera vineyard planted before 1902. A field blend of Tempranillo, Garnacha, Graciano and Viura is co-fermented in oak and aged in a 2,000-litre foudre. It is aromatic and layered, with wild berry, violet and mountain herb notes, and a long, fresh finish.
Ysios Finca Lagunazuri 2019
From a 1ha vineyard planted in 1930, Finca Lagunazuri benefits from limestone soils and a high elevation. Small clusters in 2019 yielded great concentration. Aged in 500-litre French oak, the wine is juicy and silky, with forest berry aromas and delicate spice.
Ysios Grano a Grano 2021
An artisanal wine named after its grain-by-grain destemming process, Grano a Grano 2021 is a testament to Ysios’ hands-on approach. Aged in French oak, it offers pure, precise aromas of red cherry, strawberry, wild herbs and spice, with fine tannins and a long finish.
Ysios Los Prados 2019
Los Prados 2019 honours a vineyard lost to an irrigation project, with vines transplanted to preserve its legacy. Sitting at an altitude of 630 metres, the vineyard retains the cool-climate character of its original site. Aged in used French oak, this wine features black fruit, plum, liquorice and minerality, with graceful ageing potential.
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