Established in 1987, Bodegas Araco is situated in Laguardia
(Alava), bounded by the Sierra Cantabria to the north-east
and by the left bank of the Ebro River to the west. The winery
is owned by 14 families with a long tradition for making wine.Their
vineyards, situated in the heart of the Rioja Alavesa around
the municipalities of Laguardia, Lanciego and Baños
de Ebro (Alava), total 200 hectares of Tempranillo,
Graciano,
Mazuelo and
Garnacha
from average 35 year old vines. Protected from the cold, wet
northerly “Cierzo ”winds by the Cantabrian mountains,
they are on average 635m above sea level.Very cold winters,
often reaching 10 deg.C below zero, hot summers reaching 30
deg.C and an average rainfall between 450-600mm, are all factors
which contribute to the growing of very healthy, high quality
grapes. Since their foundation, Bodegas Araco have been dedicated
to producing Alavesa red wines of the highest standard, Joven,
Crianza and increasingly Reserva from the very best Tempranillo
grapes of the region's chalky clay soils. Careful viticultural
practices, low yields, averaging 5000 kgs/ha., and the age
of the vines ensure an excellent base material. The whole
production is tightly controlled in their modern installations
with the latest technology, maturing in 225 litre oak casks
(450 American and 150 French oak) and bottle ageing, all carefully
monitored by their oenologist, Rafael Sodupe. Their annual
production is limited to 565,000 litres. Bodegas Araco is
rapidly earning itself a fine reputation for producing some
of the best wines from Rioja Alavesa. We
are the sole UK agents for Bodegas Araco.
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Click on the underlined grape varieties
for more information.
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