6 Reds From Beyond Rioja
A revolution has been quietly brewing for years, and today, Spain is one of the most dynamic and diverse wine countries on the planet. This curated six-pack is a journey through that modern landscape, a showcase of the incredible red wines coming from the country's other world-class regions. From the volcanic reds of the Canary Islands to the high-altitude Garnachas of Madrid and the powerful, mineral-driven wines of Priorat, this is a tour of the real Spain — a country of incredible diversity, ancient vines, and visionary producers.
2020 Suertes del Marqués, “Medianías” Listán Negro, Canary Islands
"The Volcanic Red"
Our first red takes us to the volcanic island of Tenerife. Here, ancient, ungrafted Listán Negro vines are trained in a unique braided method called cordón trenzado. The resulting wine is ethereal and aromatic, with a captivating bouquet of red berries, black pepper, and a whisper of volcanic ash — a singular expression of place that has no real equivalent in the red wine world.
Pair with: Mojo-marinated pork, grilled tuna with chimichurri, or a platter of Canarian papas arrugadas with mojo verde.
2022 Bodegas Peique, "Tesín de la Campana", Bierzo DO
"The Elegant Red"
From the high-altitude slate vineyards of Bierzo, this is Mencía from a single vineyard at its most elegant. Bodegas Peique is one of the region's benchmark producers, and this wine showcases the aromatic complexity and freshness that has made Bierzo one of Spain's most exciting red wine regions. Fragrant and medium-bodied, it offers notes of red berries, violets, and a distinct stony minerality.
Pair with: Roasted chicken, grilled sausages, or mushroom flatbread.
2021 Dominio de Atauta, Ribera del Duero
"The High-Altitude Tempranillo"
We move to the high plateau of Castile for a wine from one of Spain's most celebrated red wine regions. Dominio de Atauta farms some of the oldest Tempranillo vines in Ribera del Duero, and this bottling is a beautifully structured, dark-fruited red with notes of black cherry, cedar, and dried herbs. It is a wine of real depth and elegance, built to age but drinking beautifully now.
Pair with: Roast lamb, grilled ribeye, or aged Manchego cheese.
2023 Bernabeleva, Garnacha de Viña Bonita, Vinos de Madrid
"The Mountain Garnacha"
From the high-altitude, granite-driven vineyards of the Sierra de Gredos mountains west of Madrid, this is Garnacha at its most ethereal and complex. Bernabeleva is a leader in the region, farming biodynamically and crafting wines of incredible purity and finesse. This single-vineyard bottling is aromatic and spicy, with notes of wild strawberry, rose petal, and a distinctive granitic minerality.
Pair with: Pork tenderloin with a cherry sauce, grilled quail, or a mushroom paella.
2018 Scala Dei, "Cartoixa", Priorat
"The Powerful Red"
We continue our tour of Spain in Priorat, the country's most powerful and mineral-driven red wine region. Scala Dei is the oldest winery in the appellation, and their "Cartoixa" is a benchmark Garnacha and Cariñena blend grown on the region's distinctive llicorella slate soils. Dense and dark-fruited, with notes of black cherry, licorice, and graphite, it is a powerful and structured wine that speaks of its rugged origins.
Pair with: Braised lamb shanks, grilled steak, or hearty stews.
2021 Adega Algueira, "Dolio", Ribeira Sacra
"The Rare Galician Red"
Our final wine takes us to the steep, terraced vineyards of Ribeira Sacra in Galicia. This is a rare and extraordinary red from a region better known for its whites. A blend of indigenous grapes, it is a wine of incredible complexity and aromatic intensity, with notes of wild berries, black pepper, and a distinctive slate-driven minerality. A fittingly epic conclusion to our tour of Spain's hidden gems.
Pair with: Duck confit, game birds, or a rich, savory stew.
