A Cornerstone of Rioja’s Winemaking Heritage
Marqués de Murrieta is one of the oldest and most important producers in Rioja, and few names capture the spirit of the region better. The estate was built in the middle of the 19th century and had a big impact on what we now know as classic Rioja wine.
Don Luciano Murrieta, drawing on techniques he learned in Bordeaux, made his first Rioja wine in 1852 with a clear intention: to create a fine wine built for ageing, and to export it beyond Spain. The first vintage was shipped abroad to places including Mexico and Cuba, making it a foundational ‘export Rioja’ story rather than a purely local one. The estate is still owned by the same family today, and they still mix old and new ideas to make wines that are both classic and expressive.
That original ambition still shapes Murrieta, not just as a famous label, but as a single-estate producer (Finca Ygay) whose best wines are released only after extended maturation. Their flagship, Castillo Ygay, is the perfect example of tradition meeting modern exactness—precise site selection, controlled élevage (the precise, active management of the maturation process for wine), and long bottle time before release.
Read our review of the Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial 2010
Finca Ygay: An Exceptional Vineyard
The winery near Logroño is surrounded by a large single estate called Finca Ygay, which is the beating heart of Marqués de Murrieta. Marqués de Murrieta uses grapes from its own vineyards almost exclusively, in contrast to many Rioja producers who purchase grapes from several growers. As a result, the estate has exceptional control over style and quality.
The majority of the winery’s grapes come from the Ygay Estate, which is a 300-hectare vineyard complex in Rioja Alta’s southernmost region. The estate has a distinct altitude range of 320 to 485 meters, which is essential to its flavour and aroma. At different elevations, Finca Ygay boasts a mosaic of soil types, including ferrous clay, sandstone, and clay-limestone, all of which add unique characteristics to the wines. The estate is able to produce wines with depth, balance, and longevity by carefully cultivating Tempranillo, Garnacha, Mazuelo, and Graciano thanks to the combination of altitude, exposure, and soil diversity.
The Winemaking Philosophy
Marqués de Murrieta is renowned for producing wines that capture the essence of the estate and Rioja. Their best-known wines, like the Castillo Ygay, are known for their structure, complex aromas, and ability to age beautifully for decades. The winery’s careful methods, such as long ageing, careful oak selection, and a commitment to using only fruit grown on the estate, make sure that all of its wines are consistent and high-quality.
A Must‑Visit Destination for Wine Travellers
Marqués de Murrieta offers visitors to Rioja a full experience. The Castillo de Ygay, which has been beautifully restored, and the surrounding vineyards make a beautiful setting for tastings, tours, and more in-depth study of the estate’s history and philosophy. It’s a great place to stop if you want to learn about the history and craftsmanship that make Rioja wine special.
The Castillo de Ygay, and the headquarters of Marqués de Murrieta, was designated a museum in 2019 due to its historical significance to the wine industry, its legacy, and the building’s architecture.