It’s that time of year again, the countdown to Christmas! If you are busy doing some last-minute shopping and haven’t had time to think much about what to ask Father Christmas to get you this year (assuming you have been good of course!), check out Finca Martelo’s Top 10 Great Gift Ideas for all of you wine-loving Martelistas out there.

If you’d love a gift with a bit of #Martelosophy this year, Finca Martelo to the rescue! Ok, La Rioja is not exactly the snowy North Pole, but we bet our list of Top 10 Great Gift Ideas would make Santa proud.

1. Ezcaray Mohair Scarf

Born and bread in La Rioja, the Ezcaray brand has become world-famous for their Mohair blankets and scarfs thanks to their trendy patterns and their softness beyond words. Wrap up in it to go out or even to cosy up on the sofa with a lovely cup of tea.

2. Sonos smart soundbar

The Sonos compact smart soundbar will make your living room feel like an actual cinema. The only difference is that you’ll have to make the popcorn yourself, but at least you can be in your pijamas.

3. Le Creuset casserole 

When the next person asks you what your secret ingredient was, you can simply answer your new Le Creuset casserole. No matter what you cook in them, Le Creuset cast iron casseroules make every meal delicious. Our personal favourite dishes à la Creuset would have to be a tender slow-cooked lamb in the oven or a hearty beef stew simmered on the hob.

4. White noise machine

White noise machines generate a series of neutral sounds that help soothe and empty the mind. Meet your new sidekick for completely switching off after a long day or to concentrate when working from home. There are white noise machines for every budget, from the multi-function Snooz to the compact Marpac Yogasleep, perfect for traveling.

5. Chess board

You can’t go wrong with a good old classic. A quintessential #Martelosohpy Sunday doesn’t go without a friendly game of chess and a glass of wine. Let the game begin.

6. Jo Malone candle

The scent of a Jo Malone candle is pretty much only comparable to the aroma of a glass of Finca Martelo 2015 – inspiring with personality. It’s the end of a long day, run that bath, add lots of bubbles, light your new candle, soak for at least one hour, unwind – it’s time for you.

7. Fresh pasta maker

As you may have realized by now, Finca Martelo is a big foodie. That’s why one of the New Year’s resolutions this year is to learn how to make home-made fresh pasta as well as the chefs at the winery’s restaurant make it. Here is the first recipe you could try with your cool new pasta maker: Braised Iberian pork cheek and mushroom ravioli. Yum.

8. Foreo facial cleansing brush for men and pre-shaving device

The anti-aging Foreo Luna 2 facial face brush tones the skin for a smoother shave or  cleanses your beard. Renown for making skin “smooth, refreshed and toned in just two minutes”, treat yourself to this relaxing mini face massage to start your day.

9. Sony PS-LX310BT record player

Now you can enjoy your vinyl collection with all the convenience of wireless technology thanks to this Sony PS-LX310BT turntable with Bluetooth connectivity. Forget streaming for a moment and spin that record DJ. 

10. A weekend getaway to Torre de Oña winery

Although last on the Top 10 Gift List, no present has more #Martelosophy than a mini-break to La Rioja to visit the Torre de Oña bodega, home to Finca Martelo of course. Book a guided tour of the winery, taste the wines and maybe even reserve a table in the private dining room for some authentic Riojan cuisine with a modern twist. A Christmas gift to remember forever.

There you have it. May your Christmas be full of laughter, wine and #Martelosophy. And if none of these gift ideas are up your street, you can always ask for a lump of coal instead ?

Finca Martelo is a lover of TED Talks and the local TEDx held every year in the city of Vitoria-Gasteiz is a highly anticipated event for the Torre de Oña winery team who not only love attending, but are also proud to be a recurring sponsor for the internationally-recognized talks.

So, as we excitedly wait for the next event to be held, we have decided to compile some of our favourite international TED talks on the fascinating subject that is wine.

The price of happiness

This TED talk was given by Benjamin Wallace, author of The Billionaire’s Vinegar, a true story on the longest running mystery in the modern wine world. An expensive, and supposedly phony bottle of wine (vintage 1787) was sold for 105,000 pounds sterling in the 80s, 9 times the previous world record.hat was sold in 1985 for 105,000 pounds sterling.

Wallace decided he would sample some of the most expensive foods, wine and experiences in the world before he remarked about their possible value. His considerations at the end of his talk on the relation between wine and it ́s market price was fascinating.

A brief history of alcohol

TED is not just talks but also TED-Ed, original lessons featuring the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators.

Nobody knows exactly when humans began to create fermented beverages. The earliest known evidence comes from 7,000 BCE in China, where residue in clay pots has revealed that people were making an alcoholic beverage from fermented rice, millet, grapes, and honey. So how did alcohol come to fuel global trade and exploration? Roderick Phillips, wine historian, visually explores the evolution of alcohol.

The new wine language: a simpler concept

“Wine is culture” according to Madelyne Meyer, the fifth generation working in the wine business. The wine world can seem extremely exclusive, expensive, refined, and almost elite. So as she explains in her TEDx Talk, Meyer made it her mission to simplify wine communication.

Marketing manager at her family’s winery and author, she also founded Edvin, a source for wine knowledge which ignores all the “traditional” wine rules.

Climate, Grapes, and Wine

Climate change: a term currently on everyone’s lips. Dr. Gregory Jones covers the extremely important connections between climate and agriculture with a focus on growing grapes for wine production in his TEDx talk.

His main focus on climate’s influence on agribusinesses is in viticulture and wine production where the climate is arguably the most critical aspect in ripening fruit to optimum characteristics to produce a given wine style.

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Take a moment for yourself to listen to these inspiring TED Talks, ideally with a glass of Finca Martelo by your side, and let us know what you think in the comments sections below. We would love to hear from you.

One great thing about mindfulness is that there is not just one way to practice it. 

What is mindfulness?

Mindfulness is the basic human ability to be fully present, aware of where we are and what we’re doing, and not overly reactive or overwhelmed by what’s going on around us.

It does not necessarily mean that we must be sat crossed-legged on the floor. In fact, the small mundane moments in life are perfect times to be more aware, more “mindful” of what’s going on around you. Such as tasting wine.

How mindfulness can intensify your wine tasting experience

Some of the main principles of mindfulness can be applied when wine tasting:

1. Being in the present
2. Maintaining a non-judgemental awareness of the present moment, moment by moment
3. The dissolution of negative or strong emotion
4. Awakening joy

Try this mindfulness exercise with Finca Martelo 2015

If you have ever been introduced to mindfulness, you may have come across the ‘raisin meditation’ beginner’s exercise by Kabat Zinns, leader in this area.

This involves taking a raisin, looking at it intently as if for the first time, observing its colours and feeling its textures, listening to it as you roll it close to your ear, smelling it, chewing it very slowly, swallowing it and feeling it make its way to your stomach: mindful eating — but also a meditative experience.  

Now here’s a small challenge next time you uncorked a bottle of Finca Martelo, whether it is your first time tasting the wine or not.

For approximately 5 minutes, take your time to immerse yourself fully in the moment:

1. Pouring: First, pour yourself a glass letting your senses fully take in the sight, sound and smell of the action.
2. Seeing: Hold the glass up to the light and take time to really focus on it; gaze at the dark liquid with care and full attention—imagine that you’ve just dropped in from planet Mars and have never seen an object like this before in your life. Let your eyes explore every part of it, examining the highlights where the light shines, image what the texture is like, and any other features.
3. Smelling: Hold the glass over your nose. With each inhalation, take in any smell, aroma, or fragrance that may arise. As you do this, notice anything interesting that may be happening in your mouth or stomach. Maybe do this with your eyes closed if that enhances your sense of smell.
4. Placing: Now slowly bring the glass up to your lips, noticing how your hand and arm know exactly how and where to position it. 
5. Tasting: Gently take a large sip of the wine in your mouth; without swallowing, noticing how it enters your mouth. Spend a few moments focusing on the sensations of having it in your mouth.
6. Drinking: See if you can first detect the intention to swallow as it comes up, so that even this is experienced consciously before you actually swallow the wine. Then very consciously, let the liquid trickle down your throat and notice what happens in the aftermath, experiencing any waves of taste that emanate from it as you continue drinking. Notice the bare sensations of taste and texture in your mouth and how these may change over time, moment by moment. Also you can pay attention to any changes to the temperature.
7. Following: Finally, see if you can feel the wine moving down into your stomach, and sense how your body as a whole is feeling after you have completed this exercise.

We’d love to know how the mindful drinking experience is for you!

There are those who love summer. Others can’t wait for the merry festive season. And some long for the colour of spring. But there is a time of year in the land of La Rioja, when summer starts to fade away and something magical happens. It is the grape harvest season, nestled between the late summer and the dawn of autumn. And here, it is without a doubt, the best time of the year for many. Finca Martelo is among them and explains the magic.

The vineyard at its finest

The spectacle of rich maroons, reds and browns of the vineyards stretches as far as the eye can see. It is a picture-perfect postcard to be seen at least once in this lifetime. The earthy lushness reaches its peak in October when the grape harvest comes to an end. Whether you are an avid Instagrammer or not, a walk through the vineyards at this magical time of year can truly feel like walking through a painting.

The perfect climate

As Goldilocks would say, it is neither too hot nor too cold, it is just right. During the day, the sun tempers the atmosphere, lightly sun-kissing your face. When the day turns to night, there is nothing like a glass of red wine in the cool evening air. So are some tasty Rioja-style potatoes (made with bell peppers and chorizo sausage) or some lamb chops al sarmiento (cooked with vine shoots). They taste the best in autumn, you heard it here first.

The aroma of the land in the air

The unmistakable smell of La Rioja region is a delicate balance of earth, grapes, vine leaves, stone houses, sunshine and fresh water. With the vines laden with grapes, this aroma is heightened during the wine harvest season. That first whiff upon arrival is exhilarating and is a little taste of the aroma that emanates from a glass of Finca Martelo once you get settled.

A peaceful experience 

Without the summer tastings and the huge number of visitors that go with it, September and October are the ideal months to visit the Spanish land of wine. Whether it is your first visit, your third or you have lost count by now, there is a sense of calm in the streets, squares, fields and villages enjoyed by the locals. A haven of peace that tastes of tempranillo. 

The light

The autumn Riojan light is a marvel in itself. The morning rises with a sparkling light that highlights the deep colours of the landscape and the day ends with a soft and cosy warmth which will gently rock you with its rays.

The grape harvest comes with the birth of new wines

The wine harvest season is the culmination of a year’s loving work on the land. The winding country roads and hidden lanes become a hustle and bustle of tractors coming and going, first empty and then loaded with ripe grapes, while hundreds of grape harvesters go from vine to vine filling their baskets. You really feel part of the show.

The harvest in the Torre de Oña winery is about to begin. Soon we will know if the 2021 vintage will be worthy of a new Finca Martelo. Follow us on Instagram or Facebook to be the first to know! 

To reference Finca Martelo is to reference a new style of Rioja. It is a wine that is born from the idiosyncrasy of a very specific place: protected by a mountain range, graced with a very specific sun orientation, it is the reflection of the endless TLC passionately given to the vineyard that surrounds the winery and grand château, one of the leading estates in Rioja Alavesa.

Creating a wine with the personality of Finca Martelo requires finding that sweet spot between tradition and modernity, with a clear common objective in which every single little detail counts. This work philosophy is reflected in each stage of the wine creation process, from caring for the land and its vineyards, to uncorking and enjoying the wine.

A craft that expands through the seasons

Contamos con un protagonista excepcional en Torre de Oña; su suelo, su choque de climas, la tradición: su terruño. 
We have an exceptional protagonist in Torre de Oña: its terroir, fruit of the typicity of its soil, the clash of its climates and its tradition.  

The land is formed by a unique blend of soils, influenced by the chalky limestone which, in a very subtle way, retains the precise amount of water necessary for our vines during the ripening process, producing very well balanced and elegant wines. The majestic Cantabrian Mountain range is the natural backdrop which protects the vineyards from the humidity of the north, but enables them to take advantage of its freshness. The river Ebro, the protagonist of this great valley on its slow journey through Rioja Alavesa, brings a warm, Mediterranean influence. The seasons are marked and regulated by the continental climate found inland. 

Interpreting and appreciating these natural foundations is only the first step. Achieving exceptional wines is our main goal. Twenty years of painstaking research and analysis to identify the qualities, exposure and expression of each plot have allowed us to discover the unique personality of Finca Martelo. 

Work in the vineyard begins and ends in the winter, when ochre and orange tones flood our landscapes. This is the period of pause when the plant becomes austere, recovering and sending the reserves of the leaves and shoots towards its roots to protect itself from the coldest winter months. Pruning, which is our main work during this period, is the most important task in the life cycle of the vine, ensuring that we will be able to enjoy the fruits of these 60-year-old vines in the future. 

The harvest, where modernity and tradition together hand in hand

In autumn, after months of careful and dedicated work done by many different people in the vineyard, the harvest festival begins. Each bunch of grapes is harvested by hand and is the first selection process. Then it is the winery´s turn to select the best fruit from the small crates that arrive carrying the grapes. The bunches are de-stemmed then sorted and selected by an optical sorting machine, which uses latest-technology lasers to individually analyse hundreds of berries per second. Only the best grapes become Finca Martelo.  

Refined over time

Finca Martelo is a wine that, due to its smoothness and expression, needs to be aged in the cellar. For this reason, we use oak barrels to allow the wine to rest and stabilise in a natural way, using a traditional racking system. Then comes the time to rest in the bottle where everything comes together, where the last nuances of the wine appear. 

In the words of Alejandro López, the winery’s oenologist: “All the work is focused from the vineyard itself. In the winery we want to respect the vineyard’s expression so that the following vintage is better than the previous one“. It is a process that prepares Finca Martelo for the times and allows it to be enjoyed in the future. 

The last step before the beginning of a new journey

The previous tastings allow us to know how the wine has evolved during its time in the bottle, and it is at that precise moment when we decide when to send the wine off on its new journey, this time outside the winery. When that time comes, all that is left to do is to wait and see the reaction of people who wish to dedicate their time to enjoying Finca Martelo. 

Breathtaking landscapes that will capture your heart, quintessential villages full of history, a mouth-watering gastronomic culture, boutique wineries… The Spanish region of La Rioja has everything a wine lover could hope for in a holiday.

Whether you are already a seasoned lover of Rioja wines or you have only recently discovered them, there is no better time to jump on a plane and immerse yourself in the land where Finca Martelo was born. If you are still not convinced after this little intro, here are 5 great reasons why anyone and everyone should visit the Spanish region of La Rioja.

1. A landscape to fall in love with, any time of year

No matter what time of year you visit the La Rioja region in Spain, its landscape can´t help but capture your heart. The vineyards stretch as far as the eye can see, creating a lush sea of green in springtime which then turns a stunning pungent color as the grape harvest approaches.

2. A land full of rich history just waiting to be explored

The medieval castles, villages and towers that are scattered throughout the length and breadth of La Rioja and Rioja Alavesa regions are a must-see for anyone visiting the Spanish land of wine. Historical jewels such as Laguardia, a village that for centuries was the first obstacle to be overcome by all those wanting to invade the old Kingdom of Navarre. Labraza, Santo Domingo de la Calzada or castles such as Davillo or Clavijo are also up there on the best historical places to visit. 

3. A world-famous land of wine… and good food!

In addition to tasting great wines such as Finca Martelo, you can also enjoy gorgeous food in La Rioja such as the authentic “bocattos di cardinale”. We would of course suggest starting your gastronomic journey at the Torre de Oña winery, where you can book your very own private dining room (with space for up to 20 people). And then there are the local bars and restaurants in quaint towns such as Haro and Laguardia where you can feast on a heartiful meal of raciones (a variety of local dishes intended to share), bocados (taste bites where every mouthful is a gastronomic explosion) or you can even enjoy something more formal with an actual tablecloth.

4. Discover the unique Torre Oña boutique winery 

A boutique winery, a French Chateau-style bodega in the heart of Spain, a very special treat in Rioja Alavesa´s “Golden Mile”, a renowned subregion of Rioja DOCa,… These are just a few ways of describing the Torre de Oña winery, home to Finca Martelo. It is here that the wine is carefully crafted alongside its siblings Torre de Oña and Finca San Martín in a breathtaking setting of vineyards, surrounded by cypress trees and with views of the the historical Villa of Laguardia and the Cantabrian Mountains as its natural backdrop. It is located in the small town of Páganos and a stroll through its vineyard at sunset is one of the most magical experiences you could have whilst visiting this land.

5. Go on a local adventure!

One of the best ways to enjoy the magical landscape of La Rioja is to get lost in its valleys, mountains and vineyards. Or if you prefer, there are all kinds of activities you can enjoy: from a bike ride through the vineyards to a horse ride and even a hot-air balloon ride. 

It all sounds pretty amazing right? Come and discover the regions of La Rioja and Rioja Alavesa for yourselves. Finca Martelo will be here to welcome you with open arms.

The third vintage has arrived. Since the beginning of its journey in 2012, it seeks to break new ground.

A new style of Rioja; more modern, yes, but without losing that true essence and reflecting the character of the land. It is “a combination of power and elegance” according to Robert Parker, who has awarded it 94+ points in its best rating to date.

Available in Spain and the rest of the world as of today!

We leave you with a video-tasting of Guillermo de Aranzabal, president of La Rioja Alta, S.A. and the winemaker Julio Sáenz.

For those who do not know him, Alejandro López was chosen as one of the “Top 10 Best Revelation Winemakers” in 2018 according to Decanter magazine, fruit of the great work he carried out in wineries in Spain, Chile, Italy and the United States. In March 2019 he joined the La Rioja Alta, S.A. group where he became a member of Julio Sáenz’s technical team. Since then, he has taken over the oenological reins of the Torre de Oña and Áster wineries. A major new challenge that he faces with “great enthusiasm and motivation” and with the aim of “showing the best of each terroir”.

With the recent launch of Finca Martelo 2015, we took this opportunity to sit down with Alejandro for a chat, discussing everything from the importance of the terroir to the secret of how to keep improving vintage after vintage.

Finca Martelo represents a new style of Rioja Alavesa. In what way do think?

It is a wine with its own personality. It embodies the viticulture in Torre de Oña very well and is the expression of a particular terroir.

The Torre de Oña Winery, where Finca Martelo is made, is located in Rioja Alavesa’s “Golden Mile”, a renowned area which houses many internationally recognized vineyards. What singularities does this place have to produce such high-quality wines?

It is a special area due to the orography of the terrain. It is made up of sloping land with different sun exposures, a rich typicity of a chalky soil, and the Cantabrian Mountains as its natural backdrop that protects it from the humidity and cold of the north. Our ancestors were able to appreciate this unique idiosyncrasy of a very specific place in Rioja Alavesa, hence the traditional prestige of this area.  

Only three vintages of Finca Martelo have been produced since 2012. What is the process of deciding whether or not there is a Finca Martelo vintage?  

The process begins in the vineyard, by delimiting the best quality plot each year (Torre de Oña’s 45ha of vineyards are divided into individual plots). The harvest is always carried out by hand in small crates. At the winery, the fruit is selected by an optical sorting machine, which uses lasers to individually analyse hundreds of berries per second. We also have the best fermentation tanks. And then comes the ageing in barrels. Absolutely everything is focused on the vintage offering a Finca Martelo, but the profile we are looking for is difficult to achieve year after year. We are very demanding and this only allows us to enjoy it in outstanding vintages.

Finca Martelo 2015 is already available in the United Kingdom and soon to be too in Spain and the rest of the world. It launched with a Parker 94+. What is the secret to improving vintage after vintage?

Focusing all the work from the vineyard itself, it is an estate wine by nature. And then in the winery, by respecting the vineyard´s expression, always aiming for the next vintage to be better than the previous one.

In 2018 you were chosen one of the “Top 10 Best Revelation Winemakers” in Spain by Decanter magazine. In the publication’s own words, you are part of “the new generation that is setting the trends for the future”. What would you like to bring to the Torre de Oña Winery? 

Torre de Oña is a boutique winery, surrounded by cypress trees with a grand château. The different wines produced here express our environment, our landscape. My goal is to continue with the lines of work that have been developed over the past decades with a common objective: to make wines that people enjoy. 

Speaking of the #Martelosophy, or #Martelismo was you refer to it in Spanish, what is your favourite way to enjoy a bottle of Finca Martelo? 

Any way that involves sharing it. 

If you were talking to a group of sommeliers, wine tasters and other wine experts, what three reasons would you give them as to why they should uncork a bottle of Finca Martelo?

Expression, softness and memories. 

Will there be Finca Martelo 2020?

We are still working on it, so you will have to wait to find out!

Finca Martelo represents a new style of Rioja. And the 2015 vintage has just been released with an excellent cover letter: 94+ Parker Points. Finca Martelo is the result of a great harvest after a year of perfect weather conditions for the Torre de Oña vineyard.

After the vineyard´s magnificent vintages of 2012 and 2014, a new Finca Martelo vintage is now available. “2015 was excellent, one of the best aspects of it was the climate: it was what I call a very Atlantic year. Very cool, very long, very well balanced, perfect for Tempranillo. Our vineyards ripened very well, and the wines display a delightful freshness and elegance.” – Julio Sáenz, Technical Director of La Rioja Alta S.A.

Finca Martelo is only made during vintages deemed to be exceptional, with silky tannins and long, slow and balanced ripeness. If the harvest does not meet these requirements, the wine is not made. This is also the first harvest in which the optical selection of each individual grape was made, one by one.

The result is Finca Martelo 2015, a deliciously fresh and elegant wine which never ceases to evolve. The experts have already tried it and confirm our impressions: #Martelosophy gets better and better with time, also known as #Martelismo. 

Robert Parker has awarded it 94+ points, which is the best score in all three vintages so far. As he puts it in his own words, it is “a combination of power and elegance”. And the rest of the scores have not been any less assertive:

• 97 points in the Proensa Guide.
• 94 points from Tim Atkin.
• 94 points in the Peñín Guide.
• 94 points in the ABC Wine Guide.
• And James Suckling’s 92 points.

Finca Martelo 2015 is now available in the UK. Coming soon to Spain and the rest of the world.

20 years. This is how long it took to carefully examine, down to the last inch, the five estates on which the grape started to be grown to make Finca Martelo.

When we say that a wine such as Finca Martelo can only be made in the winery of Torre de Oña, we do not say so lightly. The fact is that the terroir bears much of the blame for making Finca Martelo so special.

Land is as important when making a wine as the vineyards themselves. Factors such as texture, mineral elements, organic matter, water, depth and salinity make the difference. All of these can vary dramatically even within the same estate.

That’s why more than 20 years ago we began to carefully examine, down to the last inch, the plots surrounding the winery and its chateau. We had the feeling that this chateau had something very special and we were not mistaken.

After foliar and soil analyses and satellite images we came across three estates with a unique composition and character. They include vineyards that are over 60 years old that, in certain vintages, give us fresh grapes, with mild tannins and long, slow and balanced ripening. The famous Cosechas Finca Martelo. Finca Martelo cannot be made without this perfect combination.