Bodegas Tierra
The Fernandez Gomez family has a history in viticulture that goes back for more than a century and in 1992 brothers Carlos Fernández, together with his brothers Fidel and Rodrigo, used all this knowledge passed down from generation to generation to open Bodegas Tierra in Jewish quarter of Labastida, Rioja Alavesa.
Thus there were good foundations inherited from the family’s winemaking dynasty and with twenty-four hectares of prime vineyards in Rioja Alavesa, some containing original hundred-year-old vines, and added modern and international projection, the bodega has become a huge success.
The Location
The estate is located in the north of Rioja, in the Basque part of the region called Rioja Alavesa. You need to find your way through the narrow cobblestone streets in the old town of Labastida in the heart of Rioja Alavesa to get to this bodega, lovely situated in some of the oldest houses of the village – a little bit tricky to find but well worth a visit.
Four houses hide a network of caves dating back to the year 1200, thus creating the best environment for the high quality wines produced in this winery combining good and stable temperatures with all the modern means of today, but always with respect for the fruit and the characteristics that the grapes bring from their vineyards.
The Story
The Fernández brothers’ family has for centuries been attached to wine growing, having lived in Labastida and outskirts surrounded by caves and vineyards for generations.
Carlos and Fidel took over the 24 hectares of the family estate, and have always sought to best express the terroir of Labastida having inherited their love and passion for their land and wine from their ancestors.
The 600m altitude, the proximity of the Sierra de Cantabria and the clay-limestone subsoils, always bring freshness, balance and finesse to the wines of the Fernandez Gomez brothers.
If they love their terroirs and their traditions, they also like to experiment and dust off an appellation that is sometimes ageing.
The Wine
Thanks to the privileged location of the vineyards, which receive both Atlantic and Mediterranean influences, the wines maintain a vibrant acidity that gives them structure and an elegant personality. The vineyards are worked in a logical manner, respecting as much as possible the soil structures of the region and the identity that each grape variety acquires in each plot and Tierra strives for clean, pesticide-free cultivation, seeking the greatest openness, intensity and purity of Rioja.
Due to respectful agriculture – some vineyards are worked according to the principles of biodynamics – the wines are the result of a beautiful relationship between the soil, the climate and the grape variety.
The range of varieties grown on Tierra’s vineyards, some of which are a hundred-years-old, are tempranilla mostly, as well as the red and white garnacha, viura, graciano and the wonderful malvasia, which is grown in the oldest vineyards.
The grapepicking is where the winery concentrates its biggest efforts: 70% of the grapes are collected in 15 kg boxes while the rest is carried in carts with a capacity of 2.500 kg. The picking, which is done by hand, is carried out slowly with great calm and care.
The cellar is a curious underground network of four different caves joined together, dating from 1400-1500, where the wines rest peacefully in 500 oak-casks with the constant temperature and humidity naturally maintained the whole year round.
Recognised in both national and international competitions, bodegas Tierra currently produce and market the following wines: Tierra Blanco, Fernández Gómez, Tierra Crianza, Tierra Fidel, El Belisario, El Primavera, La Greña, La abuela Visi, Tulonio, among others.
It is possible to visit the winery with several different tour options. See website.
Kalea, El Olmo Kalea, 16, 01330 Labastida, Álava, Spain
Tel +34 605 67 23 13
