The village of Fuenmayor and Rioja wine

Our winery and vineyards are located in the surroundings of Fuenmayor, a village of around 3,000 inhabitants in the heart of Rioja Alta (upper Rioja) and only 7 miles away from Logroño, the capital city of the autonomous community of La Rioja. The Ebro river flows a mile or two to the north, representing a natural frontier with the lands of Rioja Alavesa (the Basque zone in the Protected Designation of Origin Rioja). The Sierra de Cantabria (Cantabria mountain range) arises a little bit further, thus protecting the vineyards from the Northern winds.

In the 4th and 5th centuries A.D., there were tiny hamlets in this area, mainly occupied by shepherds who lived disseminated. There are still some remainings of this time, like the Roman road that connected Fuenmayor and Logroño. This road was in use during many centuries and, according to some sources, it would have been part of the ancient Saint James' Way.

During the 16th and 17th centuries an economic and social boom takes place in Fuenmayor, with its foundation on vine growing and winemaking. Palaces, aristocratic houses, chapels, and a new church are built. Some decades later, wine production consolidates as an economic power and Fuenmayor begins to export to other regions and also overseas. The palace of the Marquesses of Terán dates from this time. This building is famous for having been the headquarters of the Royal Economic Society of Rioja Winegrowers, established in 1788.

Fuenmayor panoramic view

The Royal Society promoted the creation and improvement of roads and bridges in order to boost the wine trade and to safely reach the Cantabrian Sea ports. These ports, in the North of Spain, were the departure points for the ships that carried the exports of Rioja wine to the British market. This organization also unified weights and measures, and gradually changed the mentallity of the Riojan winegrowers of the 19th century. It promoted the improvement of grape growing and introduced new viticultural techniques brought from Bordeaux: selection of varieties, destocking, fining, filtering, and ageing in oak barrels. All these changes would redund in an spectacular economic growth of the region.

The Royal Society of Winegrowers was the first precedent of a political and economic organization of what nowadays is the Autonomous Community of La Rioja and set the foundation of the current Consejo Regulador de la Denominación de Origen Calificada Rioja (the governor's organ of the Protected Designation of Origin Rioja).

Wineries (Bodegas)

Today, Fuenmayor draws together more than 20 wineries belonging to the Protected Designation of Origin Rioja, some of them founded in the late 19th century, like Bodegas AGE (old Azpilicueta) and Bodegas Montecillo. More recent wineries and also well known are Bodegas LAN, Finca Valpiedra, Vallemayor, Altanza, Heras Cordón or Marqués del Puerto.

Gastronomy and restaurants

Fuenmayor is also known for the high quality of its gastronomy. The offer ranges from the traditional cuisine (home-made croquettes, stuffed peppers or bull tail) in Restaurante Donal or Mesón El Escudo, to the high cuisine with fresh meat and fish offered by Mesón Chuchi, Restaurante Alameda or El Rincón de Eloy.

For those willing an more informal meal, most of the bars in the center of the village have a wide offer on tapas and Rioja wines.

Lodging

Given its proximity to Logroño, Fuenmayor has a limited offer on lodging. The Hostal Labranza stands out, in the center of the village. Fuenmayor also has a campsite of 1st category with restaurant, swimming-pool, supermarket, laundry service, children's area, and bungalows.

Fuenmayor's square

How to get there

La Rioja in Spain	Fuenmayor in La Rioja

GPS coordinates of Fuenmayor center: 42.467 N, 2.562 W.

From Logroño	Take the LO-20 direction Santander. Take the N-232 direction Santander.
From Bilbao or Zaragoza	Take the AP68 highway. Leave at exit 11 heading Fuenmayor. Take LR-137 heading Fuenmayor
From Burgos	Take the N-120 heading Logroño. Near Nájera take the A-12 highway towards Logroño. Near Navarrete, take the exit towards road N-232 heading Vitoria, Santander
From Laguardia	Take the A-3216 as far as La Puebla de Labarca. Then the LR-251 heading Fuenmayor

Location map

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