New collections from Viña Eguía show the many faces of Rioja

Viña Eguía in Rioja is upping its cultivation of varieties other than Tempranillo, making diversity the name of the game. Some might say: “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” while others, driven by a curious spirit and an insatiable urge to innovate, continue to stalk down change. Viña Eguía, in Rioja, belongs firmly in the latter camp. With grapes sourced from all regions of Rioja, thanks to controlling 750 hectares of vineyards between Rioja Alavesa, Rioja Alta and Rioja Oriental, the producer has a diverse menu of varieties to choose from, allowing for greater complexity in its wines. Apart from Tempranillo, bottles from Viña Eguía may contain any of 11 varieties, ranging from Viura, Malvasía, Maturana, Garnacha Blanca, Verdejo, Chardonnay and Tempranillo Blanco on the white side, to Garnacha, Mazuelo, Graciano and Maturana Tinta on the red. The producer intends to increase its focus on grapes other than Tempranillo, the dominant grape of the region, giving it a clear point of difference from other Rioja winemakers, and a broader palette of flavours in its wines. In doing so, Viña Eguía represents the full vinous treasures of Rioja, spanning north to south and east to west, giving consumers and retailers a rich overview of the region in its entirety. Viña Eguía has recently launched a new wine range in the UK, and plans are afoot to add another two distinctive collections in the market in 2025, marking the next exciting chapter for the brand. Already available is a four-strong collection