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One of the world’s top architects, Spanish born Santiago Calatrava, is the brain child behind the ground breaking and contemporary design of the Ysios bodega. The stunning winemaking facility nestles in the foothills of the Sierra de Cantabria mountain range – the peaks mirrored in the undulations of the bodega. Named after the Egyptian goddess of magic, who oversaw the conversion of grapes into wine; this producer has blessed consumers with an excellently balanced Reserva wine.
Echoing the wines, many of the newly designed wineries blend tradition with modernity. The grand Bodega Campillo, part of the famed Grupo Faustino, sits in the shadows of the Sierra de Cantabria mountains. The round arched arcade unites the bodega and the medieval town of Laguardia; whilst the magnificent entrance hall brings together steel, slate, wood, stone and granite.
The number one selling Rioja in the UK, Campo Viejo, is crafted at the Bodega Juan Alcorta - an ultra modern facility that marries revolutionary equipment with proven production techniques. Grapes are moved around the new underground cellar by gravity minimising unnecessary handling and use of electricity.
If you still need convincing, then drink up the spectacular hilltop site of the Viña Real winery – Cune’s venture in Rioja Alavesa created for production, ageing and bottling. French architect Philippe Mazieres, used concrete, wood and stainless steel for the new cellar, whilst the imposing building is in the shape on an oak vat made from Canadian Red Cedar.
Innovation looks set to continue, Bodegas Darien have commissioned Riojan architect Jesus Marino Pascual to design their winery and visitor centre, which opens its doors on 14 September 2007. The building reflects modernity and innovation of one of the region’s youngest wineries. 2000 was the first vintage but the winery has quickly garnered praise for its oak-aged wines blended from Tempranillo, Garnacha, Mazuelo and Graciano grapes.
Rioja wines and the region’s distinctive winery architecture look set to impress for decades to come.
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