The origin of Marqués de Murrieta winery is also the origin of modern Rioja winemaking: Luciano de Murrieta established the estate in 1852 in the world-renowned Rioja region of Spain. Don Luciano’s vision was clear from the beginning: to create a wine with great ageing potential and, inspired by learning winemaking in Bordeaux, to become the first Rioja to age his wine in oak barrels, pioneering a stylistic change. Keen to share his delicious work outside of Spain, he shipped his first vintage, the legendary 1852, to countries such as Mexico and Cuba, making it the first fine Rioja wine to be exported. His contribution to Spanish greatness was quickly recognized when he was named as Marquis, adding the nobility to the Rioja First Growth Estate.
Since 1983, the house is now led by the Cebrián-Sagarriga family, characterised by their professionalism and dedication to excellence. Under their work, the house has come back to its original drive and energy.
The winery is now fully modernised while remaining true to its roots and identity, ready to continue crafting the finest possible wines led by core values at its heart: to keep tradition; working with their hands, their minds and their hearts; applying technology while balancing their history; and always searching for the highest quality.
Such work has not gone unnoticed, and recently the house has house has received many shining accolades:
- ▪ Marias Vargas, the head winemaker, was named best winemaker in the world by Tim Atkin in 2017.
- ▪ Castilloy Ygay, the flagship of the Bodega in both red and white wines:
- ▪ The Castillo Ygay Tinto 2010 was heralded as best wine in the world by Wine Spectator in 2021.
- ▪ The Castilloy Ygay Bianco 1986 is a true wine unicorn. Aged for 28 years before release, it has since been recognised as the best white wine in the world by Vivino, with critics agreeing with perfect 100-point scores.
The family has also owned the historic Pazo de Barrantes in Rías Baixas since 1511. Located in the Galician Salnes valley, in the heart of the D.O. Rías Baixas, it is surrounded by twelve hectares of its own vineyards planted with the Albarino variety. Its unique terroir and microclimate, combined with the daily effort, the care and the expert knowledge of the family, allows them to get the highest expression of this grape to produce wines with a great potential for ageing and unique vibrant personality.
Despite its longstanding history and export greatness, Marqués de Murrieta has now landed for the first time in South Africa, and we are humbled to welcome this prestigious house for your discovery!
