After years of studying the vineyard and intensive oenological work, Torre de Oña presents its most innovative and expressive estate wine. The Torre de Oña estate is a part of Grupo La Rioja Alta, S.A., one of the most impressive and resolutely traditional of the regions’s bodegas.
Idyllic surroundings. A silent sea of vineyards. An allegorical setting. The Torre de Oña winery is located in one of the most exclusive and privileged regions of the Rioja Alavesa subzone, part of the Rioja D.O.Ca., where the best wineries and vineyards of this recognised winemaking area are located. The vineyards are watched over by the Cantabria Ridge, which acts as a protective barrier for wind and cold from the north. At 630 metres above sea level, it is situated close to the altitude limit for grapevine growing in this area.
The ‘Martelo vineyard’ is very special and difficult to manage, as the quality of the cultivated grapes depends largely on weather conditions throughout the growth cycle. This is why Martelo is only produced in very good or excellent years. Produced with grapes from their oldest vines, the wine comprises a grape variety blend of 95% Tempranillo and 5% Mazuelo, Garnacha and Viura. Starting in 2005, the terroir of each plot was studied carefully and vinified separately. Martelo Reserva is a single vineyard red – what they call a field blend. The grapes were put through a cold soak after alcoholic fermentation then in barrique for a slow malolactic fermentation of 96 days. This was followed by an élevage in 80% American and 20% French oak barrels for two years, during which time it was racked four times.