Located in the heart of the renowned Rioja Alta region, Bodegas Patrocinio is a cooperative winery that has been a vital part of the Spanish wine landscape since 1985. Bodegas Patrocinio crafts wines using traditional Rioja grapes like Tempranillo, Garnacha, Mazuelo, and Graciano, which are available under various brands: Señorío de Uñuela, Zinio, Sancho Garcés, and Lágrimas de María.
Bodegas Patrocinio began as a group of 200 grape growers in Uruñuela, a small town in Rioja Alta. The ethos of Bodegas Patrocinio is a commitment to collective effort over individual interests, ensuring consistent quality across all their wines. The first harvest was in 1986 and first bottling in 1993.
Under the leadership of María Martínez, who joined as Head Winemaker in 2004, Bodegas Patrocinio has continually embraced cutting-edge research and development, including soil mapping, pest control, vine vigor control. and micro-oxygenation.
Bodegas Patrocinio is located in the Najerilla Valley, one of the most prestigious subzones of Rioja. Surrounded by mountains and rivers, the vineyards benefit from a climate that is a perfect mix of Mediterranean warmth and Atlantic coolness. The region experiences warm days and cool nights in the lead-up to harvest, which helps the grapes mature evenly.
The winery’s vineyards span elevations from 450 to 600 meters [1476 to 1968 feet] above sea level, offering varied soil compositions from alluvial soils producing fruity wines to calcareous-clay soils yielding concentrated, full-bodied reds. With over 22 distinct soil types identified through years of research, the winery can produce a wide range of wines, each expressing its unique terroir.
Covering 525 hectares [1297 acres , the Bodegas Patrocinio vineyards primarily grow Tempranillo, which accounts for 85% of the vineyard area. Other red varieties include Garnacha, Graciano, and Mazuelo, while white varieties like Viura, Malvasía, and Tempranillo Blanco make up the remainder.
Most of the vines are bush-trained and hand-harvested, reflecting a dedication to quality over quantity. This hands-on approach allows the winery to control yields and ensure that only the best grapes make it into the cellar.
Head Winemaker María Martínez brings over two decades of experience to the winery, crafting wines that reflect both tradition and innovation. Her expertise in enology and viticulture has been instrumental in shaping the style and quality of Bodegas Patrocinio’s wines.
Bodegas Patrocinio produces approximately 2 million bottles annually, focusing on classic and modern styles of Rioja wines.
Bodegas Patrocinio Tempranillo Reserva Terroir de Zinio Rioja 2018
This Reserva is drawn solely from the highest-altitude sections of Zinio’s outstanding holdings: vineyards that start at over 1,600 feet of elevation and climb even higher from there. These are old vines—bush-trained and planted over 70 years ago. The vineyard’s mix of alluvial and clay-dominant soils build in complexity, while the altitude creates a resounding freshness in the wine.
Once they’re picked, the grapes are treated to two separate sortings—once in the vineyard and once in the winery—before a cold-soak allows extra richness and fruit to develop. A maceration of over three weeks builds structure, while 18 months in barrel softens tannins.
This dark cherry-red wine starts with a nose of purple plum and baking spices. These continue on the palate. The mouthfeel is delicate, with a rather watery body. This is offset by zippy acidity and medium but firm tannins. It all wraps up in a short finish. ABV is 14.5 %.
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