Nivarius is a project from the Palacios Vinos de Finca group dedicated entirely to high-altitude white Rioja, built around a mission of reviving Maturana Blanca, a native grape that was nearly extinct in the region before wineries like this one helped bring it back. The winery's name comes from the Latin word for the natural wells once used to store snow year-round, a nod to the cool, high-elevation sites, all above 800 meters, that define its style. Farming is minimal-intervention and site-driven, prioritizing freshness and natural acidity over heavy-handed work in the cellar.

Finca La Nevera comes from a single 4.3-hectare parcel in the upper Iregua Valley near Nalda, one of the highest vineyard sites in all of Rioja at close to 800 meters, north-facing with a cooling continental influence. The 2017 vintage is 100% Maturana Blanca, fermented and aged in large wooden vats rather than barrique, giving the wine texture and structure without heavy oak flavor. The result is a medium-bodied white with lemon curd, orchard fruit, and a steely, mineral edge that reflects the site's altitude and soil.

Why You'll Love It

• Made entirely from Maturana Blanca, a native Rioja grape that was nearly extinct before wineries like Nivarius helped bring it back
• Sourced from a single 4.3-hectare parcel at nearly 800 meters, among the highest and coolest vineyard sites in Rioja
• Fermented and aged in large wood vats rather than barrique, giving texture without heavy oak
• Lemon curd, orchard fruit, and a distinctive steely minerality

How To Serve It

• Serve at 50 to 55°F
• No decanting needed
• Pour into Burgundy stems to show off its texture
• Pair with pan-seared halibut, roast chicken, or aged sheep's milk cheese
• Drink now through 2028