Bodega Akutain is producing traditional Rioja at its finest. Juan Peñagaricano Akutain planted his first vineyard in 1975, located 5km west of Haro at Rioja’s epicenter. With a desire to work in the chateau style, Juan acquired a horse stable adjacent to the vineyard and converted it into a small bodega. Akutain has been making wine here in this small but highly functional bodega ever since, with the goal being “to control the whole process from vineyard to bottle.” They strive to produce wines in the traditional style set forth by the Grand Bodegas, but on a much smaller scale, and most importantly to singularly reflect the wind-swept, high elevation terruño of Rioja Alta.

The Gran Reserva is produced only in the best vintages and is an intensely impressive wine in its youth with the wood perfectly integrated, but will only improve with age.

Pairing: Grilled/roasted meats 

Grapes: mostly Tempranillo with Garnacha

Soil: Clay-Calcareous 

Viticulture:  Lutte Raisonée

Viniculture: Fermented with native yeasts in fiberglass vats, and raised in older American oak for around 3 years, with another 2 years in the bottle before release. Only made in excellent years.