Montebuena
Rioja (Spain)

The Estate
In the mid-1960s, 70% of the winegrowers (175 vintners) decided to join forces and found the Unión de Cosecheros of Labastida, which currently ranks as the largest co-operative winery in the Basque Country, with a production capacity of 7 million liters. 
Right from the outset, these winegrowers wanted to be involved in the entire process, from cultivating vineyards to barrel-ageing wine to bottling. Towards this end, the co-op has established its own brands and striven to enhance its facilities, equipping them with the most modern equipment available, as with its stainless steel tanks, a cooling unit for regulating fermentation temperatures and new bottling plant.

Manuel Ruiz Hernández, winemaker (center), Gaizka Lejarza, managing director (right)

Lunch at the winery - Spanish trip, June 2007

The Vineyards
The ageing of wines has always been one of this winery’s passions and primary concerns. At present, the co-op has 6,000 American oak casks in storage, with an average age of five years.

Spanish trip, June 2007

The Wine

shelf talker / case card


shelf talker

shelf talker / case card






shelf talke / case card

UPC code: 7 84585 00304 4
2007 Montebuena, Rioja, 12/750ml
Produced from 100% Tempranillo grapes, which are hand harvested from the Montebuena vineyard.
Brilliant deep ruby red color, fruity aromas .
Montebuena Red has a spicy vanilla bouquet and is smooth and fruity in the mouth with some well-integrated secondary nuances, full-flavored and a persistent pleasant finish.

88 pts - RED VALUE - Wine Advocate (Feb. 09)

#S0EE302005TPS
UPC code: 7 84585 00304 4
2006 Montebuena, Rioja, 12/750ml
Produced from 100% Tempranillo grapes, which are hand harvested from the Montebuena vineyard.
Brilliant deep ruby red color, fruity aromas .
Montebuena Red has a spicy vanilla bouquet and is smooth and fruity in the mouth with some well-integrated secondary nuances, full-flavored and a persistent pleasant finish.

In the mid-1960s, 70% of the winegrowers (175 vintners) decided to join forces and found the Unión de Cosecheros of Labastida, which currently ranks as the largest co-operative winery in the Basque Country, with a production capacity of 7 million liters.
Deep ruby. Ripe, fruit forward blackberry aromas with nicely integrated French oak. Soft attack of dark red fruits. Medium weight. Good acidity. Slight astringent finish. Moderate, ripe tannins. "Dark red. Spicy red berries and cherry on the nose, with hints of cracked pepper and dried rose. Crisp and dry on the palate, with spicy redcurrant and cherry flavors, light tannins and a fresh, energetic finish. An excellent value, and surprisingly elegant for this price point."
- i-Wine Review.com, 87 pts

#S0EE302004TPS
UPC code: 7 84585 00304 4
2005 Montebuena, Rioja, 12/750ml
Produced from 100% Tempranillo grapes, which are hand harvested from the Montebuena vineyard.
Brilliant deep ruby red color, fruity aromas .
Montebuena Red has a spicy vanilla bouquet and is smooth and fruity in the mouth with some well-integrated secondary nuances, full-flavored and a persistent pleasant finish.
"Dark red. Spicy red berries and cherry on the nose, with hints of cracked pepper and dried rose. Crisp and dry on the palate, with spicy redcurrant and cherry flavors, light tannins and a fresh, energetic finish. An excellent value, and surprisingly elegant for this price point."
- International Wine Cellar (July/Aug 2007), 88 pts

#S0EE30203
UPC code: 7 84585 00304 4
2004 Montebuena, Rioja, 12/750ml
"A contender for best value in my Spanish tastings, this delicious Rioja is dark ruby in color, with aromas of earth, spice, and red fruits. It has surprising depth, ripe, smoky, cherry flavors, light tannin, and an excellent pure finish. This terrific bargain can be enjoyed over the next 2-3 years. Drink 2007-2010. Imported by Kysela Père et Fils, LTD." - Wine Advocate (issue 169), 90 pts


National Retail Price: $12.99 / bottle