San Esteban

Bodegas San Esteban is no ordinary winery, but rather the first wine cooperative (Cooperativa) in the entire Rioja region, founded in 1953. Its concept is unique: it combines the collective strength of winegrowers with a passion for top-quality wines.

🏔️ The heart of it all: one valley, three altitudes

Its terroir is the key to its diversity. The cooperative cultivates its own vineyards in the Leza and Jubera valleys at three different altitudes (between 407 and 420 metres). This creates a natural mosaic of microclimates and soil types (clay with a high iron content). Controlled water stress through traditional vine cultivation results in intensely aromatic grapes.

🍇 The grape varieties: tradition with character

The range of grape varieties is classic Rioja, but with remarkable historical stocks:

· Viura: the basis of the white wines, grown in one of the oldest surviving vineyards of the bodega, dating back to 1900.

· Tempranillo: The dominant red variety (90%), cultivated here since 1956 – perfect for young, fresh wines, but also for deep wines destined for ageing.

· Garnacha, Mazuelo & Graciano: These native varieties make up the remaining 10% and lend the cuvées complexity, colour and a special smoky or floral note.

🍷 The wines: between tradition and ‘rebellion’

The bodega reflects two souls:

1. The classic Rioja portfolio: they produce the entire range of DOCa Rioja wines – from young, fruity reds and whites to full-bodied crianzas and characterful reservas and gran reservas aged in barriques (several with excellent ratings from renowned critic Tim Atkin).

2. The innovative spirit – ‘Kairos’: Parallel to the DOCa standards, the Kairos range creates wines that deliberately break the established rules. They are an expression of the desire to experiment and be different.

📍 The location: Murillo de Río Leza

The winery is located in the charming village of Murillo de Río Leza, just 14 km from Logroño. The Mediterranean climate and its location at the confluence of two rivers make it a privileged wine-growing region. The Church of San Esteban (a listed building since 1979) is also worth a visit.

✨ Special features at a glance

· Founded: 1953 as La Rioja's first cooperative.

· Philosophy: Collective quality work with an individual drive for innovation.

· Terroir: Own vineyards at three altitudes (407-420m) in the Leza/Jubera valleys.

· Range: Comprehensive classic Rioja range (DOCa) plus experimental “Kairos” series.

· Treasure trove of grape varieties: Historic Viura vines from 1900 and Tempranillo from 1956.

Bodegas San Esteban proves that cooperative work and the highest quality, tradition and bold innovation do not have to be contradictory.

If you would like to find out more about the specific wines in the ‘Kairos’ range or Tim Atkin's exact ratings, I would be happy to help with more detailed research.