Prado de Irache

The story of Prado de Irache stretches back to the 10th century, when the Monasterio de Irache was founded adjacent to what are now the estate's vineyards. In 1072, King Sancho IV donated the vineyards to the monastery, and Benedictine monks produced wine on the site continuously until 1985. Bodegas Irache was established in 1891 to continue that monastic winemaking tradition. The estate sits directly on the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route, and in 1991 the winery installed its famous Fuente del Vino, a wine fountain that dispenses free wine to passing pilgrims. An on-site Wine Museum houses over 400 pieces of winemaking history.

• Monasterio de Irache founded in the 10th century; vineyards donated by King Sancho IV in 1072
• Benedictine monks produced wine on the estate until 1985
• Bodegas Irache established 1891 to continue the monastic tradition
• Wine fountain (Fuente del Vino) opened 1991 for Camino de Santiago pilgrims

Prado de Irache occupies 16 hectares on the slopes of Sierra de Montejurra in the Tierra Estella subzone of Navarra DOP, sitting at elevations between 450 and 600 meters. The soils are franco, a loam-based type with dark chalky components that provides good structure and mineral character to the vines. The climate is a distinctive Atlantic-continental microclimate, receiving Mediterranean warmth and 3,000 sunshine hours annually while benefiting from an Atlantic moderating influence from the ocean just 90 kilometers away. Annual rainfall of 790mm is generous for Spain, and significant diurnal temperature variation helps preserve acidity and aromatic complexity in the grapes.

• 16 hectares at 450-600 meters on Sierra de Montejurra slopes
• Franco (loam-based) soils with dark chalky components
• Atlantic-continental microclimate with 790mm annual rainfall and 3,000 sunshine hours
• Significant diurnal temperature variation preserves grape acidity and aromatics

Tempranillo anchors the estate's red blends at approximately 80% of plantings, supported by Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Graciano, and Mazuelo. All grapes are sourced exclusively from the estate's own vineyards, as required by the Vino de Pago designation. Harvest is conducted entirely by hand in 15-kilogram crates, with cluster-by-cluster selection to ensure only the finest fruit enters the winery. Maximum permitted yields are 7,000 to 8,000 kilograms per hectare. Crucially, wine is only produced in years when the harvest meets the estate's exceptional quality standards, meaning some vintages are skipped entirely.

• Tempranillo at approximately 80%; also Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Graciano, and Mazuelo
• Manual harvest in 15kg crates with cluster-by-cluster selection
• Maximum yields of 7,000-8,000 kg/hectare
• Production skipped in vintages that do not meet exceptional quality standards

Prado de Irache is bottled unfiltered after 12 to 16 months of aging in French oak barrels. The resulting wine is full-bodied with a meaty texture, ripe tannins, and dark berry fruit including cherry, currant, and plum. The French oak is well-integrated, contributing structure without dominating the fruit. At 14 to 14.5% ABV with a minimum acidity of 3.7 g/L tartaric, these are wines built for structured elegance rather than overt power, with aging potential of 10 to 15 years or more. Regulatory oversight is provided by the Instituto Navarro de Tecnologías e Infraestructuras Agroalimentarias (INTIA).

• Aged 12-16 months in French oak; bottled unfiltered
• 14-14.5% ABV; minimum acidity 3.7 g/L tartaric
• Dark berry fruit with meaty texture and integrated oak structure
• Age-worthy style with 10-15+ years of potential

Prado de Irache received Vino de Pago status in 2008, becoming the second designated Vino de Pago in Navarra. The Vino de Pago designation is Spain's most restrictive and prestigious single-estate wine classification, requiring that all grapes come exclusively from the named estate and that the wine be produced and bottled at that same estate. The designation signals a level of terroir specificity and quality commitment comparable to the grand cru concept in other European wine regions. Total annual production of 10,000 to 12,000 bottles makes Prado de Irache one of Spain's most limited appellation wines.

• Designated Vino de Pago in 2008, the second in Navarra
• Vino de Pago is Spain's most restrictive and prestigious single-estate designation
• All grapes must come exclusively from the estate's own vineyards
• Annual production of just 10,000-12,000 bottles enforces rarity