Bodegas Tarón

Bodegas Tarón – Wines from the Heart of Rioja Alta

Bodegas Tarón is a winery rich in tradition from Tirgo in the Spanish region of Rioja Alta. The bodega is part of a special wine-growing project known as Territorio Tarón. This area includes several historic winegrowing villages whose vineyards have been cultivated for generations. In this environment, wines are created that reflect the character of their origin and express the identity of the Rioja Alta region.

The wines of Bodegas Tarón are made from grapes sourced from the vineyards of Cuzcurrita de Río Tirón, Sajazarra, Tirgo, and Villaseca. Together, these four villages form Territorio Tarón and shape the origin and personality of the wines. More than 200 members and families are part of this cooperative and jointly contribute to the work in the vineyard and the development of the wines. 

The History of Bodegas Tarón

Bodegas Tarón is a cooperative of winegrowers from several villages in Rioja Alta. The members come from Cuzcurrita de Río Tirón, Sajazarra, Tirgo, and Villaseca. These families work together to cultivate their vineyards and to process the grapes in the bodega into high-quality wines.

The bodega brings together the work and experience of more than 200 members and families. These winegrowing families cultivate their vineyards in Territorio Tarón and jointly contribute to the production of the wines. 

The Territorio Tarón project is closely linked to the landscape and history of the region. In this part of Rioja Alta you find historic villages, Romanesque churches, and medieval castles that shape the cultural identity of the region. This environment forms the framework for viticulture and inspires the work of the winegrowers. 

The People Behind Bodegas Tarón

The bodega is supported by a community of more than 200 members and families. They come from the four villages Cuzcurrita de Río Tirón, Sajazarra, Tirgo, and Villaseca. Together they form a cooperative whose goal is to preserve the quality of the vineyards and make their origin visible in the wines.

The members of the cooperative work both in the vineyard and in the cellar to develop the wines of Territorio Tarón. Work in the vineyard is considered the foundation of the wines’ quality, as it ensures that the grapes reflect the characteristics of the region and the respective sites. 

The Philosophy of Bodegas Tarón

The work of Bodegas Tarón is guided by the goal of making the character of Territorio Tarón visible in the wines. The wines are intended to reflect the area they come from and express the characteristics of the vineyards and the landscape.

The bodega describes its wines as an expression of the Rioja Alta region and as the result of the work of winegrowing families who have tended their vineyards for generations. The central aim is to produce wines with personality that preserve the identity of their origin. 

The philosophy of the bodega can be summed up in several core principles:

1. Presenting the character of Territorio Tarón in every wine.

2. Cooperation among winegrowing families from four villages in Rioja Alta.

3. Linking landscape, tradition, and viticulture.

4. Focus on high-quality wines from their own vineyards.

The Rioja Alta Growing Area and Territorio Tarón

Bodegas Tarón is located in Tirgo in the Rioja Alta region, part of the protected designation of origin Rioja. The cooperative’s vineyards are located in the villages of Cuzcurrita de Río Tirón, Sajazarra, Tirgo, and Villaseca. Together, these places form Territorio Tarón. 

The area is characterized by a landscape shaped by historic villages, Romanesque churches, and medieval castles. This environment forms an important part of the cultural identity of the region and influences the local winegrowing culture. 

The wines of Bodegas Tarón are made from grapes from these vineyards and are intended to reflect the characteristics of this area.

Vineyards and Special Sites of Bodegas Tarón

The cooperative’s vineyards are spread across the four villages of Territorio Tarón. Some of these vineyards have been owned by the participating winegrowing families for many decades.

One example of a special site is Finca Zabaleta. This vineyard was planted in 1988 and covers just over two hectares of vines. The site is located in Castilseco at an altitude of around 560 meters above sea level. 

The Finca Zabaleta wine is produced from this vineyard and is made from Tempranillo grapes. The grapes are selected in order to represent the characteristics of this vineyard as clearly as possible in the wine. 

Another important source are the vineyards in the El Monte area in Cuzcurrita de Río Tirón. There you find very old vines with controlled yields, from which the grapes for the wine Tarón Cepas Centenarias originate. 

Grape Varieties of Bodegas Tarón

The bodega’s wines are made from the grape varieties that grow in the vineyards of Territorio Tarón.

Important Grape Varieties

• Tempranillo

• Mazuelo

• Tempranillo Blanco

The wine Tarón Reserva, for example, is made from Tempranillo grapes. In some blends, Tempranillo is also combined with Mazuelo.

Another grape variety is Tempranillo Blanco. This variety originated from a natural genetic mutation of a Tempranillo vine and is also used for the bodega’s wines. 

Winemaking at Bodegas Tarón

Winemaking takes place at the bodega in Tirgo. After the harvest, the grapes are processed in small containers and then fermented.

For the wine Tarón Reserva, the grapes are first destemmed and processed in small tanks. Before fermentation, there is a cold maceration lasting two to three days. Fermentation lasts about seven days and the total maceration time is approximately fifteen to eighteen days. 

After malolactic fermentation, the wine is aged in American oak barrels. For Tarón Reserva, this maturation period is about 18 months. The wine is then aged in bottle for several years. 

Other wines of the bodega also age partly in oak barrels and then in bottle to develop their final structure and maturity.

The Style of the Wines of Bodegas Tarón

The bodega’s wines cover various styles. The range includes white wines, rosé wines, and red wines.

The white wines are produced in different versions, including dry wines, barrel-fermented variants, and medium-sweet white wines. 

In addition to white and red wines, the bodega also produces Clarete. This wine is made from a blend of white and red grapes and belongs to a traditional style of winemaking. 

The red wines of the bodega have structure and can benefit from maturation in oak barrels and in bottle. 

Special Ranges and Wines from Bodegas Tarón

The bodega’s range includes various wines and lines that represent different aspects of Territorio Tarón.

Tarón

The Tarón line includes various red, rosé, and white wines, including Crianza and Reserva wines.

Tarón Cepas Centenarias

This wine is made from grapes from very old vines. The vineyards are located in the El Monte area in Cuzcurrita de Río Tirón. 

Finca Zabaleta

A single-vineyard wine from a vineyard in Castilseco at around 560 meters altitude. The site was planted in 1988 and provides Tempranillo grapes for this wine. 

Territorio Tarón

This wine is made from a selection of vineyards that are more than 35 years old and located on slopes. The goal is to show the characteristics of Territorio Tarón in the wine. 

Beso de Sirena

The wine Beso de Sirena is inspired by a Romanesque depiction of a mermaid found on a capital of the church El Salvador in Tirgo. This historic image became the symbol for this wine. 

Awards and Ratings for Bodegas Tarón

The wines of Bodegas Tarón have received numerous awards and ratings.

Selection of Important Awards

• Grand Gold Medal at Mundus Vini for Tarón Reserva 2016. 

• Gold medal and 95 points at the Decanter Awards for Tarón Cepas Centenarias 2018. 

• Grand Gold at the Casino de Madrid Wine Competition for Pantocrátor 2011. 

• Silver medals at the International Wine Challenge. 

• Silver medals at the IWSC competition. 

• Ratings of over 90 points in the Guía Peñín for several of the bodega’s wines. 

In addition, Bodegas Tarón was named Cooperative of the Year by Master of Wine Tim Atkin. 

Bodegas Tarón – Expression of Territorio Tarón

Bodegas Tarón stands for wines that come from Territorio Tarón and reflect the characteristics of this area. The cooperation of winegrowing families from four villages in Rioja Alta forms the basis for the bodega’s work.

The vineyards, the landscape, and the winemaking tradition shape the bodega’s wines. Each bottle reflects the origin of the grapes as well as the work of the winegrowers who jointly cultivate Territorio Tarón.

The wines of Bodegas Tarón show the diversity of Rioja Alta and the connection between landscape, vineyards, and the people who tend them.