Profile of Miguel Merino

Tucked away just beneath the gorgeous hilltop village of Briones in Rioja Alta, the Miguel Merino estate is making some of the most elegant wines of the Rioja Wine Region. The setting is lovely, with a tiny experimental vineyard facing the “chateaux” under the backdrop of the 16th-century Cathedral of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción, a stunning church with an exquisite gold leaf retablo, ancient monk’s hymn’s books, and an 18th-century Italian organ. Patchwork vineyards blanket the valley around Briones, and the amazing Dinastia Vivanco wine museum is located just below.

Founded in 1994, Miguel Merino sprang on the world wine scene with a truly memorable and highly awarded first vintage (94) that surprised those in the know by outshining better-known wineries and surpassing even Merino’s own lofty expectations. A small and elite company with a microscopic annual production compared to the big Rioja players, Miguel Merino is focused on quality, not quantity.

Since the winery’s foundation, it has worked hard to maintain its excellent quality level and has attracted attention in Spain and abroad (where some 80 percent of its wines are sold) for silky yet bold wines. The man behind the winery, Miguel Merino himself, is known as an ambitious winemaker whose vision and determination that has been the deciding factor in his bodega’s success. Miguel is one of the most interesting and passionate wine personalities in Spain, and for our lucky clients, he will personally give you a tour of his boutique bodega.

Blending classic Rioja style with a modern edge, Miguel Merino offers a small but impeccably presented range of Tempranillo-based wines marked by their deep color, smooth tannins, spicy undertones, and rich fruit aromas. While recognizably Riojan, the wines have the character and structure not often found in traditional wines. Miguel’s 11 hectares of vineyards are all located in and around beautiful Briones, and some are home to vines 75 years old or older. The entire harvest is done by hand, and every bunch of grapes is carefully hand-inspected. Wines are aged for two years or more in casks made by the prestigious Cooper Murúa, and only Reserva and Gran Reserva wines are produced.

Wines produced

  • Miguel Merino Gran Reserva

    96% Tempranillo, 4% Graciano; 13% alcohol; aged for 15 months in new French oak, and 10 months in American oak.

  • Miguel Merino Gran Reserva

    95% Tempranillo, 5% Graciano; 13.2% alcohol; aged for 28 months in French and American oak.

  • Miguel Merino Unnum

    100% Tempranillo; 13.6% alcohol; aged for 19 months in French and American oak.

  • Miguel Merino Vitola

    96% Tempranillo, 4% Graciano; 13.6% alcohol; aged 26 months in French and American oak.

Winery details

Miguel Merino

Ctra. de Logroño 16
26330 Briones
La Rioja, Spain
Tel +34 941 322 263
Fax +34 941 322 294

Appellation
La Rioja
Founded
1994
Area under vine
11 hectares
Age of vines
40 years old, on average
Oak barrel origin
300 barrels of American, French and Hungarian oak
Winemaker
Miguel Merino
Owner
Miguel Merino
Grape varietals
Tempranillo, Mazuelo and Graciano

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).

Recommended by