Bodegas Martínez Alesanco

Martínez Alesanco is a family winery in Badarán, in the Alto Najerilla, making D.O.Ca. Rioja wines from its own vineyards in the San Millán valley, five minutes from San Millán de la Cogolla.

The family

The family says it has been making wine in Badarán for centuries. In 1993 it was still making wine in twelve old cellars in the village, some its own and some rented; in 1994 it built its first modern winery, with the first harvest done before the roof was on, and in 2020 it finished the new ageing and visitor facilities. Behind it are the siblings Ángela and Pedro Martínez Alesanco, children of Pedro Martínez and Pilar Alesanco, and the next generation: four grandchildren were already working at the winery in 2008.

The vineyard and the wines

They work twelve vineyards of their own on red clay and ferrous soils, between 553 and 750 metres above sea level. There are old vines, such as the Grenache of Valdeponzos, planted in 1905, or that of Entrematas, from 1941, which gives its name to their wine club, and a 1955 vineyard with mixed varieties: jaína, viura, Malvasía Riojana, tempranillo and tempranillo royo. Besides tempranillo and garnacha they grow maturana tinta, tempranillo blanco and malvasía. With them they make the Martínez Alesanco range, from joven to gran reserva and an organic one, tinaja and single-vineyard Grenaches, barrel-fermented whites and rosés, Nada Que Ver and a vermouth. They also prepare personalised wine for weddings and corporate gifts.

The visit

A tour of the winery in Spanish and a tasting of four wines with a zero-mile appetiser; minors have grape juice. It lasts an hour and a half and costs €20 per adult and €6 for ages 5 to 17. There are departures Wednesday to Saturday at 11:00 and 17:00, and on Sundays and public holidays at 11:00, with groups of up to 20 people. It can be completed with Iberian ham, cheeses or anchovies. They have a separate booking for the visit in English.

If you have less time, the premium tasting is five wines with chorizo, village bread and oil, about 35 minutes, for €15 per adult, and afterwards you can see the barrel room on your own. It runs Monday to Saturday from 10:00 to 13:30 and from 16:00 to 19:00, and on Sundays and public holidays from 10:00 to 13:30, subject to seasonal changes, with a maximum of eight people per group; it is best to arrive five minutes early. You can also drop in without booking to taste and buy.

How to book

On their website, by phone on 941 367 075 or by WhatsApp on 655 194 924, and by email at [email protected]. Groups of more than eight for the tasting and private visits are arranged by phone. The website does not publish cancellation conditions or accessibility details.