Viura, Malvasía & Garnacha Blanca, Ruiz-Clavijo, Fanegas de la Unión Blanco, 2022, Rioja Alta, Spain

A vibrant, unoaked white Rioja crafted as a tribute to tradition. Fanegas de la Unión Blanco is made by fifth-generation winemakers Mario and Belén Ruiz-Clavijo in La Unión de los Tres Ejércitos — the family’s historic origin in Rioja Alta. This wine reflects their vision of a true classical white Rioja: fresh, structured, and age-worthy, but with no oak influence.

From 20- to 40-year-old vines grown on mineral-rich soils at 700m altitude, this wine blends Viura, Malvasía, and Garnacha Blanca, capturing the tension between richness and freshness. Fermentation occurs at 14ºC in stainless steel to retain varietal purity, followed by 9 months on fine lees for texture and depth. It’s then bottled and aged an additional 12 months before release, with no fining or filtration—clarification is done solely by gravity.

2022 vintage insight:
A challenging year due to extreme heat and drought, with highs up to 43ºC. Thanks to the vineyard’s altitude and cooler microclimate, ripening remained balanced. Harvest began about a month earlier than usual, yet the grapes stayed healthy, yielding a wine with lower acidity but strong aromatic complexity and character.

Tasting note:

• Color: Pale yellow with green highlights

• Nose: Ripe white fruit, floral and mineral notes, herbs, and evolving waxy-petrol tones typical of old Viura vines

• Palate: Bright and lively, with fresh acidity, elegant volume, and a long, balanced finish

Food pairing:
Perfect with traditional Spanish cuisine—baked fish, mild stews, paella, grilled vegetables, or young cheeses. Also excellent as an aperitif or alongside light, fresh dishes.

Production: ~30,000 bottles annually across all Ruiz-Clavijo projects.