«They keep improving every year and are still on their way up. A young name to follow.» Robert Parker – February 2025
A Family Story Rooted in the Terroir of Ábalos
Founded in 1986, Bodegas Abeica was born in the heart of the village of Ábalos, in Rioja Alta, on limestone and sandstone soils that give the wines their finesse and depth. Today, it is run by cousins Ricardo “Richi” Fernández and David Fernández, born in 1996 and 2000 respectively. The bodega symbolizes the renewal of a generation that combines respect for the past with a forward-looking vision.
The family cultivates around 35 hectares of vineyards, 70% of which are in Ábalos and the rest in San Vicente de la Sonsierra. Some plots, planted over a century ago, are true viticultural treasures. These old bush-trained vines produce concentrated, expressive grapes that faithfully reflect their origin.
A High-Altitude Terroir and a Respectful Approach to Viticulture
Situated at nearly 550 meters above sea level, the vineyards of Bodegas Abeica benefit from a unique microclimate: warm days that favor grape ripening and cool nights that preserve acidity. The limestone and sandy soils add a subtle mineral tension that sets these wines apart from the richer expressions of Rioja.
True to their philosophy, the Fernández family works without herbicides or pesticides, in deep respect for biodiversity and natural rhythms. This sustainable approach ensures healthy grapes, full of life and a true expression of their land.
Colección de Viñedos – The Pure Expression of a Village and Its Old Vines
Among the bodega’s most remarkable wines is the Colección de Viñedos, made from four old plots in Ábalos, hand-planted by their ancestors. The blend combines approximately 80% Tempranillo, 10% Garnacha, and 10% Viura (a traditional white grape), bringing balance, structure, and freshness.
The grapes are destemmed but not crushed before gentle fermentation in stainless steel tanks. The wine is then aged for 11 months, equally divided between concrete tanks and 500-liter French oak barrels, preserving the purity of the fruit and the silky texture of the tannins.
The result? A sincere and elegant red wine, both youthful and structured, with notes of fresh red fruit, spices, and flint. On the palate, it is precise and harmonious, with a slightly chalky finish, a controlled alcohol level of 14.3%, and perfectly integrated acidity. An authentic, honest, and precise wine that remains true to its origin.
The Abeica Philosophy – Sincerity, Balance, and Respect for Place
The spirit of Bodegas Abeica rests on three pillars: transparency, terroir, and tradition. The Fernández cousins chose to halve their production to focus on quality, keeping only the best clusters from their old vines.
Their goal is not to follow trends, but to create wines that tell a story – the story of a landscape, a family, and a village. This pursuit of identity is reflected in every bottle, with winemaking precision that continues to improve vintage after vintage.
Abeica actually means “Ábalos” in the old local dialect – a nod to the estate’s deep roots. The wines are balanced, sincere, and faithful to their terroir: three words that perfectly sum up the house philosophy.
Buy Bodegas Abeica – A Rising Star Worth Discovering
The estate has continued to progress over the years and now stands as one of the most promising young names in Rioja. Its wines, already sought after by enthusiasts, captivate with their purity and honesty.
If you are looking to discover an authentic Spanish wine with an outstanding price-quality ratio, Bodegas Abeica deserves your full attention. Whether to share during a meal with friends or to enrich your cellar, each bottle expresses the perfect balance between freshness, tradition, and modernity.
Bodegas Abeica – A Future Classic of Rioja
By combining the rigor of artisanal craftsmanship with the energy of a young generation, Bodegas Abeica is redefining the standards of contemporary Rioja. The wines display a rare balance between aromatic intensity and purity of expression, proving that great wine is born above all from passion and respect for the land.
A winery to follow, to collect, and above all, to enjoy. Bodegas Abeica: the future of Spanish wine, already in your glass today.
- Cotation
- Parker : 92/100 "A young name to follow"
- Varietal(s)
- 80% Tempranillo, 10% Grenache, 10% Macabeu blanc
- Degree
- 14.5°
- Origin
- Spain - Rioja
- Type
- Red wine
- Producer
- Bodegas Abeica
- Maturity
- 2025-2030
- Packaging
- Carton of 6 bottles
- Size
- 75 cl
Customer Reviews
- Review by vvWine
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2023, Rioja DO Tinto „Colección de Viñedos“, Bodegas Abeica, Spanien, Rioja (80% Tempranillo, 10% Grenache, 10% Macabeu blanc, 14.5% Alkohol)Rating
Helles Rubinrot, erinnert fast schon an einen kräftigen Pinot Noir; im Duft fruchtig mit einem Mix aus roten und blauen Früchten, Brombeeren, Granapapfel, getrocknete Blüten, Süssholz; fruchtiger Gaumenauftakt, gut verpackte, nicht sonderlich ausgeprägte Tannine umgarnen die Frucht, trotz 14.5% Alkohol bleibt der Wein frisch, schwebt schon fast schwerelos über die Zunge; langer, rotfruchtiger Abgang. Ein moderner Rioja mit Finesse und Eleganz. Jetzt bis 2030. 90 vvPunkte
