Tradition meets innovation at González Byass UK’s 21st anniversary tasting

At González Byass UK's 21st anniversary portfolio tasting, chief winemaker Alejandro López García of Beronia Rioja revealed how tradition, innovation, and sustainability are shaping the future of Rioja wines. The post Tradition meets innovation at González Byass UK’s 21st anniversary tasting appeared first on The Drinks Business.

Feb 9, 2025 - 21:53

Tradition meets innovation at González Byass UK’s 21st anniversary tasting

At González Byass UK's 21st anniversary portfolio tasting, chief winemaker Alejandro López García of Beronia Rioja revealed how tradition, innovation, and sustainability are shaping the future of Rioja wines.

González Byass UK marked its 21st anniversary with a portfolio tasting in London, bringing together an impressive array of wines and spirits from its renowned collection. Industry professionals, sommeliers, and wine enthusiasts gathered to explore offerings from legendary producers such as Viña AB, Tío Pepe, and Vilarnau, as well as international stars like Jackson Estate from New Zealand and Wirra Wirra from Australia. Among the highlights was Beronia Rioja, where chief winemaker Alejandro López and winemaker Marian Santamaría de las Heras shared insights into the winery’s balance of tradition, innovation, and sustainability—offering a glimpse into the future of Rioja winemaking. Speaking to db, Alejandro López García, who took over as chief winemaker just over a year ago, highlighted the unique characteristics of Rioja Alta, the northernmost part of the region. “Our weather conditions are more Atlantic,” he explained. “That means dry, but really cool conditions". While Rioja is best known for its reds, Beronia has a long tradition of making white wines as well, thanks to the natural acidity of the region. López pointed out that their white wine production was put on hold in the early 2000s because it was no longer fashionable, but shifting consumer preferences have brought it back. “White wines are working well in the market now,” he said. “This trend gives us the chance to continue working with different wines.”

Blending tradition with modern techniques

Beronia is a winery deeply rooted in tradition, but García made it clear that innovation plays an equally important role. “We continue working the vines as they have for the last 500 years,” he said. “But now we have more information. Before, winemaking was more intuitive. Today, we use drones to check vineyard conditions and diseases. This allows us to make better decisions and produce higher-quality wines.” This balance of old and new extends to the winery itself. While barrels remain an essential part of Rioja winemaking, Beronia invests in modern technology to refine the ageing process. “We continue working with barrels because it's traditional,” García explained. “But innovation means investing in better barrels, not using barrels that are too old. We also use new cleaning systems to eliminate unwanted aromas and ensure the wine truly reflects the landscape of Rioja.”

A sustainable focus

Sustainability was another key theme of the discussion, with Beronia setting itself apart as an industry leader. “We were pioneers in making a winery based on sustainability,” López said. “It was designed and constructed with sustainable principles from the start.” The winery's underground structure helps maintain a cool temperature naturally, reducing the need for artificial cooling. “We have a lot of glass to receive light, but the design prevents direct sunlight from entering,” García, explained. “The roof garden keeps the temperature down, and the rainwater we collect is used for irrigation and toilets, reducing water consumption.” Beronia’s sustainability credentials go beyond the winery itself. The materials used in its construction were carefully chosen to minimise environmental impact. “The wood comes from sustainable forests, and the concrete is sourced from mines rather than river extraction,” he said. “We’re not just using sustainability as a buzzword—it’s part of our DNA.”

Adapting to changing consumer tastes

García, acknowledged that winemakers must stay attuned to market trends while remaining true to their heritage. “For us, trends are good because they allow us to keep working and experimenting,” he said. While Beronia remains primarily a producer of red wines, the resurgence of white wines has given them new opportunities. “The wine industry is like gastronomy,” López explained. “You have traditional cuisine and modern cuisine, but after 30 years of modern gastronomy, chefs are going back to tradition, while traditional cooking is also borrowing from modern techniques. It’s the same with wine. We make modern wines, we make classic wines, and they both influence each other.” “We need tradition,” he concluded, “but we use innovation to help us work better and keep improving our wines.”