BODEGAS MORAZA

JANIRE MORAZA

Rioja, Spain

Moraza is not like any other Rioja you have tried before, a real stand out from its usual oaky, high tannic reds. We are in the village of San Vicente de la Sonsierra in Rioja Alta, west of Pamplona and near the base of the Cantabrian mountains. Here, Bodegas Moraza has been farming for six generations.During the cooperative boom in the 1970s, the Moraza family remained determined to keep making their own wines, as opposed to selling fruit to the coops.

Janire, who now manages the Estate, took over from her father and uncle to then convert their holdings over to organic practices.With the goal of allowing her wine to just best express itself and showcasing the varieties of Rioja with their unique terroirs, Janire doesn’t adhere to the Rioja ageing system. She also replaced oak with concrete to make simple, fresh and oak-less wines. Mineral driven clay soils, fermentation and full élevage in large concrete tanks, showing nothing but fruit tannin, brightness and clarity. You’re looking at the new face of Rioja.

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BACKGROUND OF NATURAL WINE IN SPAIN

Spain's natural wine scene is a rich tapestry woven from a deep-rooted winemaking history and a contemporary embrace of sustainable, minimal-intervention practices. With a viticultural legacy dating back to Roman times, Spain has recently witnessed a resurgence of interest in organic and biodynamic viticulture, shaping a dynamic natural wine movement. Regions such as Catalonia's Penedès, the Sierra de Gredos, and the ancient vineyards of Bierzo are at the forefront, where skilled winemakers are redefining Spanish wine with a focus on authenticity and terroir expression. Traditional grape varieties like Tempranillo, Garnacha, and Albariño are gaining renewed attention, embodying Spain's commitment to preserving its winemaking heritage while embracing the innovations of the natural wine movement.