Bodegas Martínez Lacuesta
Overview
Estate
Bodegas Martínez Lacuesta is a historic family winery in Haro, Rioja Alta, founded in 1895 by Félix Martínez Lacuesta and his brothers. The company remains family-owned and is now managed by the third generation. The modern winery in Paraje de Ubieta was inaugurated in 2011 and was designed to combine modern production facilities with the family's traditional methods and long Rioja heritage.
Climate
The winery is located in Haro, in Rioja Alta, where elevation and the influence of the surrounding mountains contribute to a continental climate moderated by Atlantic influences. The cool nights and northern winds during harvest are important factors in freshness and balance.
Vineyards
The Rioja Regulatory Council currently lists approximately 60 hectares of Martínez Lacuesta's own vineyards. The vineyards are located in Haro and surrounding Rioja Alta sites and are used for the winery's red, white, and rosé wines. The company also maintains younger vineyards as part of its long-term estate development.
Cultivation
Martínez Lacuesta's vineyard philosophy is rooted in adapting viticulture to Rioja rather than simply reproducing techniques inherited from France. Historically, the winery worked closely with the Haro Oenological Station to improve vineyard health and disease prevention. The estate's long continuity in Haro is central to its vineyard stewardship approach.
Winery
The modern winery combines technology with traditional Rioja methods. One of its defining practices is manual gravity racking, a technique developed in the early 20th century and still used today. The cellar is designed around five-high barrel stacking and contains a very large barrel-aging area; there are more than 8,000 barrels in the aging cellar. The portfolio ranges from Crianza, Reserva, and Gran Reserva wines to newer expressions such as Cuvée and Hinia. Martínez Lacuesta has also produced vermouth since 1937, including its Reserva Vermut introduced in 2005.
Family
The winery was founded in 1895 by Félix Martínez Lacuesta, who began with a small shop on Calle de la Vega in Haro before his five brothers joined the business. The company expanded early, including a Madrid branch in 1904, and became an important historic Rioja producer and exporter. Martínez Lacuesta remains in family hands today.
Winemaker
Álvaro Martínez del Castillo preserves the winery's winemaking identity, which is closely connected to its long family tradition and to the preservation of manual gravity racking and extended barrel aging.
Focus Point
• Historic family winery founded in Haro in 1895.
• Rioja Alta, with approximately 60 hectares of own vineyards.
• Family-owned across successive generations.
• Modern winery in Paraje de Ubieta inaugurated in 2011.
• Strong tradition of manual gravity racking.
• Extensive barrel-aging program.
Marketing materials
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Bodegas Martínez Lacuesta
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