Bodegas Aldonia is a family-run winery located on the Camino de Santiago in Navarrete. At an altitude of 800 metres, the estate takes its name from the derivation of “La Dona”, one of the family’s noblest vineyards, and “La Dama,” another superior land plot. Initially influenced by Bordeaux winemaking techniques in the early 20th century, today the estate is run by the 4th generation of winemakers, Ivàn and Mario Santos.

Since 2006, the brothers have embarked on creating their own style of wine, based on ancestral tradition, and focusing vineyard work done by hand and the utmost respect for the grape. As such, they do not follow the conventional categories, instead choosing to maintain the essence and elegance of the Rioja terroir.

Rioja, Spain’s most celebrated wine region, lies in the north along the Ebro River, protected by the Cantabrian Mountains. Its climate is a unique blend of continental, Mediterranean, and Atlantic influences, providing warm summers, mild winters, and moderate rainfall—ideal for balanced ripening. The region’s diverse soils range from calcareous clay in Rioja Alavesa, alluvial soils in Rioja Oriental, to iron-rich clay in Rioja Alta, each contributing distinct character to the wines.

Tempranillo is Rioja’s flagship grape, producing elegant reds with vibrant fruit, spice, and ageing potential. Garnacha adds richness and warmth, while Graciano and Mazuelo contribute aromatic lift and structure. Rioja also crafts fresh whites from Viura (Macabeo), often blended with Malvasía and Garnacha Blanca. Rosé and sparkling Riojas are also becoming more popular.

Rioja is renowned for its ageing classifications—Joven, Crianza, Reserva, and Gran Reserva—each offering increasing complexity from extended oak and bottle maturation. Traditional styles display soft red fruit, leather, vanilla, and spice from American oak, while modern interpretations highlight brighter fruit, subtle oak, and polished tannins.

The result is a spectrum of styles, from youthful, fruit-driven wines to mature, complex expressions capable of decades of aging. Rioja’s harmony of tradition, terroir, and innovation makes it one of the world’s most enduring and respected wine regions.

Grenache, known as Garnacha in Spain, is one of the world’s most widely planted and versatile red grape varieties. Believed to have originated in Aragon, northeastern Spain, it spread across the Mediterranean and is now integral to many of the world’s great wine regions. It thrives in hot, dry climates and is particularly drought-resistant, with late-ripening characteristics that require long growing seasons.

Viticulturally, Grenache is vigorous and productive, often grown as bush vines to control yield and improve concentration. It prefers well-drained soils like schist, gravel, and sand, contributing to its rich texture and ripeness.

In Spain, Garnacha is prominent in regions such as Priorat, Rioja (often blended), and Aragón, producing wines with ripe red fruit, spice, and earthy notes. In France, Grenache is the backbone of Southern Rhône blends (e.g. Châteauneuf-du-Pape), offering warmth, red berry fruit, and herbal nuances. It is also widely planted in Australia (notably in McLaren Vale), the U.S. (especially California), and South Africa.

Grenache produces a range of styles—from fresh, fruity rosés to powerful reds and fortified wines. Typical flavours include strawberry, raspberry, white pepper, dried herbs, and sometimes leather and liquorice with age. Its soft tannins and plush texture make it both approachable and age-worthy.