Profile of Ismael Arroyo

A family-run winery in the heart of Ribera del Duero, Bodegas Ismael Arroyo is the creator of Valsotillo, a stellar Tempranillo admired for its ripe berry notes, complexity, and elegant finish. From its base in Sotillo de la Ribera, a small valley village near the medieval city of Burgos, the winery is one of the most respected in the region and was one of the founders of the DO. Although founded in 1979 (just a few years before Ribera del Duero became an officially recognized DO), winemaking is an old Arroyo family tradition. The family has been tending grapes in the region for more than 400 years and has enjoyed commercial success throughout the 20th century.

The winery itself has a long history as well. Wines are aged in a spectacular 16th-century labyrinthine cellar that tunnels its way through two-thirds of a kilometer of underground galleries. Considered one of the world’s most exceptional wine cellars, this ‘cathedral of wine’ permits Bodegas Ismael Arroyo to keep its luscious wines in silent, still, cool conditions.

Like most wineries in the area, the bodega keeps things simple by focusing on one grape — Tinto del País, the somewhat callously named “Country Red” that’s also known as Tinto Fino or Tempranillo. Grapes are harvested by hand, and the harvest in this part of Ribera del Duero usually begins in early October. The flagship wine, Valsotillo, is among Ribera del Duero’s very best and is almost always an outstanding creation, whether a Crianza, Reserva, or Gran Reserva. The Valsotillo VS (Viñedos Seleccionados; Selected Vines) is exclusively a Reserva wine made from carefully selected grapes. The Mesorneros de Castilla is a well-regarded but less complex range, including rosé wines, young reds, and a red aged 6 months in oak barrels. The vines, some of which are 80 years old, grow in clayey, gravelly soils. We are pleased to offer our VIP clients private tours of Valsotillo as part of our greater luxury tours in Ribera del Duero and Spain. Contact us for more information.

Wines produced

  • Valsotillo Crianza

    100% Tinto del País; 12% alcohol; aged 20 months in oak.

  • Valsotillo Gran Reserva

    100% Tinto del País; 12% alcohol; aged 36 months in oak.

  • Valsotillo Viñedos

    100% Tinto del País; 13% alcohol; aged 24 months in oak.

  • Mesoneros de Castilla

    100% Tinto del País; 13% alcohol.

  • Mesoneros de Castilla Roble

    100% Tinto del País; 13% alcohol; aged 14 months in oak.

  • Mesoneros de Castilla Rosado

    90% Tinto del País, 10% Albillo; 13.5% alcohol.

Winery details

Ismael Arroyo

Los Lagares 71
09441 Sotillo de la Ribera
Burgos
Tel +34 947 532 309
Fax +34 947 532 487

Appellation
Ribera del Duero
Founded
1979
Area under vine
25 ha
Age of vines
40 years old, average (the oldest vines are 80 years old)
Oak barrel origin
American
Winemaker
Ismael Arroyo
Owner
Ismael Arroyo and family
Grape varietals
Tinta del País and Albillo

More information

If you would like us to customize an exclusive, luxury tour for you, get in touch with us and let us know your travel plans. We offer luxury food and wine tours for private groups of minimum 2 guests. All of our private, chauffeured tours are available year round upon request.

Contact us for your personalized quote!
Cellar Tours Private Luxury Food & Wine Tours

Cellar Tours

Cellar Tours is a Luxury Travel Specialist, operating since 2003 and offering exclusive Mercedes chauffeured Gourmet Vacations in Chile, France, Italy, Ireland, Portugal, South Africa, and Spain. We specialize in luxurious custom designed vacations, events and incentives related to food and wine. We are proud members of Slow Food, UNAV (Travel Agency Association in Spain), and the IACP (International Association of Culinary Professionals).

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