Bodegas Bhilar Rioja Alavesa Lagrimas de Bhilar Graciano 2022

Bodegas Bhilar Rioja Alavesa Lagrimas de Bhilar Graciano 2022

Organic, Biodynamic Rioja Graciano Red Wine

Buy Lágrimas de Bhilar Graciano 2022 – A Rare Rioja Single-Varietal Red

Discover the elegance and power of Lágrimas de Bhilar Graciano 2022, a rare and expressive monovarietal Graciano wine from Bodegas Bhilar in Rioja Alavesa. Crafted using biodynamic and organic methods, this small-production Spanish red wine captures the soul of its terroir and the mastery of award-winning winemakers.

About Bodegas Bhilar – Boutique Organic Rioja Wines

Bodegas Bhilar, located in the picturesque village of Elvillar (known as Bhilar in Basque), is an artisanal winery run by husband-and-wife team David Sampedro Gil and Melanie Hickman. With over 20 years of organic cultivation and Demeter biodynamic certification since 2022, they champion terroir-driven Rioja wines with minimal intervention.
David Sampedro, crowned Rioja Winemaker of the Year 2020 by Tim Atkin MW, grew up among these very vineyards and established Bhilar to showcase sustainable viticulture and site-expressive wines. In 2014, they reintroduced horses to plough the vineyards, deepening their commitment to low-impact farming.

The Vineyard – High-Altitude, Old-Vine Graciano

Sourced from estate-owned, dry-farmed bush vines rooted in limestone-rich calcareous clay soils at high altitudes in Elvillar de Álava, this Graciano benefits from exceptional conditions. The cool-climate vineyards, interspersed across three valleys stretching from the Sierra Cantabria mountains to the River Ebro, impart natural freshness and complexity.
With deep-rooted vines thriving in poor, rocky soils, the grapes develop concentrated flavours, while hand-harvesting and horse-ploughed soils preserve biodiversity and vineyard health.

Winemaking – Minimal Intervention for Pure Expression

The Graciano grapes were fermented spontaneously with indigenous yeasts in concrete vats. Following fermentation, the wine matured on the lees for six months in the same concrete vessels. This gentle lees ageing enhances texture, mouthfeel, and aromatic complexity while retaining the grape’s vibrant freshness.