Bodegas Bilbaínas
Key Spanish Terms
Rioja's oldest bottling winery, producing iconic Viña Pomal from 250 hectares in Haro's historic Station Quarter since 1901.
Bodegas Bilbaínas is the oldest bottling winery in La Rioja, founded in 1901 in Haro's celebrated Station Quarter. The bodega owns 250 hectares of vineyards across clay and limestone soils, making it the largest vineyard owner in the Haro municipality. Its flagship Viña Pomal dates to 1904, and the winery pioneered sparkling wine production in Rioja in 1912.
- Founded in 1901 by Santiago de Ugarte Aurrecoechea; origins trace to French producers Savignon Frères in 1859
- Located in the Barrio de la Estación (Station Quarter) in Haro, Rioja Alta
- Classified as the oldest bottling winery in La Rioja
- Owns 250 hectares of vineyards, the largest holdings in the Haro municipality
- Houses 3,400 m² of underground cellars, the largest cellar system in Rioja
- Pioneered sparkling wine production in Rioja in 1912 using méthode champenoise
- Purchased by the Raventós Codorníu group in 1997
History and Origins
Bodegas Bilbaínas traces its roots to 1859, when the French producer Savignon Frères established operations in Haro. The winery was formally founded in 1901 by Santiago de Ugarte Aurrecoechea in Haro's Station Quarter, the legendary Barrio de la Estación that became the heartbeat of Rioja Alta's wine trade. The bodega joined the Rioja Qualified Designation of Origin in 1925 and was acquired by the Raventós Codorníu group in 1997.
- Origins linked to French producer Savignon Frères operating in Haro from 1859
- Formally established in 1901, making it the oldest bottling winery in La Rioja
- Became part of DOCa Rioja in 1925
- Acquired by Raventós Codorníu group in 1997
Vineyards and Terroir
Bodegas Bilbaínas operates on a château-style model, with 250 hectares of estate vineyards surrounding the winery. These are the largest vineyard holdings in the Haro municipality, planted on clay and limestone soils with quaternary soil deposits. The estate grows both traditional and lesser-known Rioja varieties, reflecting a commitment to the full breadth of the region's grape heritage.
- 250 hectares of vineyards on clay, limestone, and quaternary soils
- Largest vineyard owner in the Haro municipality
- Château-style model with vineyards surrounding the winery
- Grapes include Tempranillo, Garnacha, Graciano, Viura, Malvasía, Maturana Blanca, Garnacha Blanca, and Tempranillo Blanco
Cellar and Infrastructure
The winery's underground cellar network spans 3,400 m², the largest of any cellar system in Rioja. This infrastructure supports the production of wines across the full spectrum of Rioja aging categories, from Crianza through Gran Reserva, as well as sparkling wines produced using méthode champenoise.
- 3,400 m² of underground cellars, the largest in Rioja
- Produces Crianza, Reserva, and Gran Reserva red wines
- Sparkling wines made using méthode champenoise
- Pioneer of sparkling wine production in Rioja, dating to 1912
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Look it up →Key Brands and Wines
The flagship label is Viña Pomal, whose first vintage was released in 1904, making it one of Rioja's longest-running wine brands. Additional labels include La Vicalanda, Viña Zaco, and Lumen. The Royal Carlton label represents the winery's sparkling wine production, a category Bodegas Bilbaínas introduced to Rioja in 1912. The bodega also produces singular wines from lesser-known Rioja varieties.
- Viña Pomal: flagship brand, first vintage released 1904
- La Vicalanda and Viña Zaco: key red wine labels
- Royal Carlton: sparkling wine label using méthode champenoise
- Lumen: additional label in the portfolio
Bodegas Bilbaínas wines are anchored by Tempranillo from clay and limestone soils in Rioja Alta, producing structured reds with firm tannins, red and dark fruit character, and the savory complexity that extended aging in Crianza, Reserva, and Gran Reserva categories develops. Sparkling wines follow méthode champenoise traditions, offering a contrasting fresh and toasty character.
- Bodegas Bilbaínas Viña Zaco Tempranillo$12-18Entry-level Tempranillo from Bilbaínas' Rioja Alta estate vineyards; approachable fruit-forward style.Find →
- Bodegas Bilbaínas Viña Pomal Reserva$20-35Flagship Reserva label with origins dating to 1904; structured Tempranillo from clay-limestone soils.Find →
- Bodegas Bilbaínas La Vicalanda Gran Reserva$50-75Top Gran Reserva tier showcasing extended aging depth from Bilbaínas' historic 3,400 m² cellars.Find →
- Bodegas Bilbaínas is the oldest bottling winery in La Rioja, founded 1901 in Haro's Barrio de la Estación
- Owns 250 hectares on clay, limestone, and quaternary soils; largest vineyard holder in Haro municipality
- Underground cellars measure 3,400 m², the largest cellar system in Rioja
- Pioneered sparkling wine production in Rioja in 1912 using méthode champenoise (Royal Carlton label)
- Joined DOCa Rioja in 1925; acquired by Raventós Codorníu group in 1997