Barbara Palacios Takes Leadership Role at Bodegas Casa La Rad
Bodegas Casa La Rad has proudly announced the appointment of Barbara Palacios López-Montenegro as its new head winemaker. Her ascension marks a significant milestone as she is notably the first woman from the distinguished Palacios family in Spain to undertake this role. With her impressive background and deep-rooted connection to La Rioja, Barbara is set to offer a new vision to this eco-friendly estate located in Rioja Oriental.
A Warm Welcome to Barbara Palacios
In a statement from Laurent Grumel, the general manager of the winery, he expressed enthusiasm for welcoming Barbara into the Casa La Rad family. He noted her expertise, passion, and profound dedication to terroir-driven winemaking, which resonates with the winery's own vision. He emphasized the importance of her leadership in creating wines that reflect the elegance and authenticity of their unique estate.
Barbara's Journey in Winemaking
Barbara Palacios has a diverse and rich history in winemaking. Following her family's legacy, she began her path by studying viticulture and oenology in Bordeaux, where she earned technical diplomas in 2004. Gaining hands-on experience at prestigious wineries like Château Margaux and Château Pichon-Longueville Baron in Médoc as well as Robert Mondavi in Napa Valley, she further honed her skills. Her career has had her traveling extensively across the world, working with top-tier winemakers in Australia, New Zealand, Italy, Chile, Argentina, and Spain. Upon returning to Rioja in 2005, Barbara devoted herself to nurturing a small vineyard that her father had established back in 1989. This project laid the groundwork for her own winemaking venture, Bodega Barbarot, and propelled her education to new heights when she earned an oenology degree from the University of Rioja in 2014.
The Legacy of Casa La Rad
Originally crafted as a hunting lodge in the 17th century for the Marquises de Legarda, Casa La Rad has blossomed into the largest single-property wine estate in Rioja. The estate is expansive, occupying 800 hectares and featuring 48 distinct vineyard parcels at varying elevations ranging from 515 to 675 meters above sea level. With vineyards averaging over three decades in age, it harbors prized varieties such as Garnacha, Malvasía, and Viura, some of which have their roots dating back to the mid-1970s. The estate's unique altitude, diverse microclimates, and rugged terrains bring a remarkable complexity to its wines.
Sustainability at the Core
Casa La Rad is firmly committed to sustainable practices, evidenced by its certification under the FAIR'N GREEN seal for sustainable viticulture. Nestled in the Ocón Valley, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, only 14% of the estate is cultivated for wine. The remainder is devoted to preserving old-growth woodlands, olive groves, and grain fields. Since its rejuvenation under new ownership in 2014, the winery has introduced innovative barrel-aging methods, comfortably stepping away from traditional Reserva and Crianza classifications to showcase the true essence of terroir in its wines.
Future Prospects with New Leadership
Bodegas Casa La Rad specializes in crafting 100% estate-grown Rioja DOCa wines that carry the Casa La Rad, Alma La Rad, and Viña Solarce labels. While current production is at 75,000 liters, the winery anticipates an increase to 200,000 liters by the year 2030. The appointment of Barbara Palacios signals an exciting new phase for Casa La Rad, reinforcing its unwavering commitment to quality, authenticity, and sustainability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Barbara Palacios?
Barbara Palacios López-Montenegro is the newly appointed head winemaker at Bodegas Casa La Rad and the first female winemaker from the Palacios family.
What is Bodegas Casa La Rad known for?
Bodegas Casa La Rad is renowned for being the largest single-property wine estate in Rioja, producing estate-grown wines that embody excellent quality and sustainability.
How does Casa La Rad practice sustainability?
The winery is certified with the FAIR'N GREEN seal for sustainable viticulture, preserving 86% of its estate for woodlands and olive groves.
What wines does Bodegas Casa La Rad produce?
The estate produces 100% estate-grown Rioja DOCa wines, including labels such as Casa La Rad, Alma La Rad, and Viña Solarce.
What are the future production goals for Casa La Rad?
The winery aims to increase its production capacity from 75,000 liters to 200,000 liters by the year 2030.
