Real Agrado (roughly translating to ‘True Enjoyment’) was founded as Viñedos de Alfaro in 1974 by a group of wine aficionados, led by Juan Manuel Dománguez. Having planted 100 hectares of vineyards between the towns of Alfaro and Aldeanueva de Ebro in Rioja’s East, they supplied Rioja producers making top tier wines for 30-years.
In 2005 they made the leap from grower to grower-producer; building a winery in the heart of their estate and began making their own wines, overseeing every step from vine to bottle, with the ambition of producing wines that truly express the terroir of the region.
It was then that Julián Ayuga took charge of Real Agrado. A former consultant, winemaker, and member of the DOC Rioja Appellation tasting committee, he is a highly respected figure in Rioja’s wine community.
Ayuga’s deep engagement and passion for the region, coupled with the modern winery - nestled among the now decades’-old vineyards - is the perfect storm to produce exceptional wines that reflect grape, vineyard, village and region - Viura, Las Planas & La Lobera, Aldeanueva de Ebro, Rioja. These wines mature in an underground cellar that maintains optimal temperature, humidity, and airflow, ensuring quality and consistency.
Real Agrado Blanco 2024
Viura grapes for Real Agrado Blanco come from two vineyards in the eastern-Rioja village of Aldeanueva de Ebro.
Las Planas vineyard, 11 hectares planted in 1980 on the steep slopes of the high-altitude, clay-calcium soils of the Yerga mountain. North facing with good ventilation, the vines have low disease pressure and extreme diurnal temperature shirts, resulting in grapes with intense aromatics.
Secondly, La Lobera estate, planted in 1992 with Tempranillo, Graciano, Mazuelo, Garnacha &, of interest here, Viura. On incredibly poor soils of pebbles and alluvial stones, the vines are forced to seek nutrients, while the aspect allows for long sunshine hours and smooth grape maturation.
With the winemaking essentially having been done in the vineyards, a light hand is used. Grapes are hand harvested before fermentation at low temperatures in stainless steel tanks.
In the glass: Clean, bright yellow straw colour. Hints of tropical fruits, peach, orange blossom and light herbal notes. Fresh and crisp on the palate, with subtle citrus notes and good persistency.
Vegan certified.