Bodegas Montecillo: Rioja’s Legacy with a Modern Touch
Bodegas Montecillo is not only a part of Rioja's viticulture heritage, it contributed to it. Since 1870, this winery has been producing wine in the sleepy town of Fuenmayor, where time passes slowly and the vines root deep. It's an old bodega, one of the oldest in the region, but don't confuse its age with being old-fashioned.
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A Legacy Born from the Land
This journey began with Don Celestino Navajas Matute and a vineyard he recognized had promise. His family stepped in his footsteps, advancing the art without forgetting why it was even doing it: the people, the grapes, and the land. One generation went to study in Bordeaux and returned with concepts that quietly revolutionized how they worked, well before it became fashionable to blend old and new.
A New Chapter with Familiar Values
When the Navajas family required someone to take things further, the Osborne family took over. Having established roots in sherry, they didn't knock down the past, they constructed it. In 1973, they improved the winemaking aspect with a new complex in Navarrete, designed to allow their wines to mature with accuracy and deliberation.
Wines with Character, Not Just Labels
With their bright Crianza through to stately Gran Reserva, the wines of Montecillo speak of where they come from. Rioja Alta. Their Signature range, such as the Montecillo Limited Edition and 22 Barricas, is more individual, more expressive. The 150th Anniversary Gran Reserva (2005) illustrates how deeply rooted they are.
Even their white wines are exceptional. The Montecillo Blanco Fermentado marries Viura, Tempranillo Blanco, and Sauvignon Blanc to provide something fresh, floral, and structured. And in case you prefer something lighter, the Rosé isn't an afterthought, it's bright, dry, and crafted with just as much attention.
Guided by Know-How and Intuition
Since 2008, Mercedes García Rupérez has been the winemaker and technical director. With engineering and oenology backgrounds, she combines science and intuition in equal measure. Her style respects tradition but allows the wines to breathe, keeping Montecillo fresh without diluting it.
Looking Forward While Staying Grounded
Older vintages lie undisturbed in Montecillo's cellar, some from the 1920s. They're not mere museum exhibits; they're part of the history. But Montecillo is equally concerned with what's coming tomorrow. Sustainability is part of their process now. Cleaner methods, more intelligent energy use, and a respect for their ground are all non-negotiables.
This is not a brand that's claiming to be artisanal. It's an operating winery with heritage, intent, and a firm grip on the future. When you twist the cap off a bottle of Montecillo, you're not just getting great Rioja, you're getting more than 150 years of considered winemaking in each glass.