This week, Raleigh had the rare pleasure of hosting Richi Arambarri, President of Vintae Family Wineries and part of the founding family behind this Rioja-based group, for an exclusive tasting of “Cumbres de Vintae.” Held at Rosewater in North Hills, the event invited local trade (present company included) to experience the vibrant diversity of Vintae’s projects across Spain—from Rioja and Ribera del Duero to Navarra and Toro.
A New Generation of Rioja
Vintae (pronounced vin-tay) is a family-owned, next-generation wine group rooted in Rioja and crafting wines across 14 Spanish Denominaciones de Origen (DOs). Over the past two decades, the Arambarri family has built a collection of boutique wineries united by a single purpose: each bottle should tell the story of the land where it was born.
Founded by José Miguel Arambarri Terrero and now led by his sons Richi and José Miguel Arambarri Pérez, Vintae has become a model for thoughtful, terroir-driven winemaking. Their approach is both respectful of heritage and boldly exploratory—merging ancestral viticulture with modern, low-intervention techniques to create wines that are expressive, sustainable, and refreshingly approachable.
The Tasting Lineup
Among the selections on the table at Rosewater:
- López de Haro (Rioja) – the heartbeat of the house and home to Vintae’s flagship “new classics,” crafted in the heart of San Vicente de la Sonsierra.
- Bardos (Ribera del Duero) – cool-climate finesse from the high-altitude vineyards of the Páramo de Corcos, bringing precision and elegance to this powerhouse region.
- Viñedos El Pacto (Rioja) – a return to ancestral farming traditions and old-vine authenticity, a love letter to Rioja’s origins.
- Pandemónium (Rioja) – Vintae’s modern marvel: an authentic sparkling wine from the Alto Najerilla area, combining regional typicity with a singular, high-altitude freshness.
Each wine offered a glimpse into Vintae’s philosophy, that “great wine is made in the vineyard”, as their technical director Raúl Acha often says.
Two Decades of Dreaming—and Doing
Since its inception, Vintae has expanded its footprint across northern Spain’s most compelling landscapes. Highlights include Matsu in Toro—home to the striking trio El Pícaro, El Recio, and El Viejo—and Le Naturel in Navarra, one of Spain’s pioneering natural wine projects with no added sulfites. Across its portfolio, Vintae blends respect for the past with forward-thinking innovation, from climate research and sustainable viticulture to high-altitude vineyard experiments for future sparkling releases.
That mix of curiosity and conviction has paid off. Vintae’s Classica Grandes Reservas from Rioja have twice earned “Best in Show” honors at the Decanter World Wine Awards, placing them among the 50 best wines in the world.
A Taste of Place… and People
In conversation, Richi radiated the easy warmth and energy of someone who sees wine not as a product, but as a story—one told through landscape, culture, and people. “When you’re born and raised in Rioja,” he shared, “wine is part of your life.” His vision for Vintae is simple yet profound: keep dreaming, keep exploring, and keep honoring the land that makes it all possible. This attendee especially enjoyed getting to ask the stories of the people presented on the Classica bottle labels, ranging from the “doctor of farming” who guided the local producers through the phylloxera era and the female sales pioneer who brought Rioja to international territories in a time where both notions were nouveau. 🥂
Final Pour
From timeless Rioja reds to the crisp sparkle of Pandemónium, this tasting reflected the new face of Spanish wine—expressive, diverse, and deeply rooted in its terroirs. For Raleigh’s food and wine lovers, it was a memorable reminder that behind every great glass is a great story—and in Vintae’s case, an entire family of them.
A special note of “Thanks!” to my gal pal, Mallerie Blackwell, for the kind invitation to join this fantastic tasting!
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