Palacios Remondo
Summary
Palacios Remondo is a family-owned winery in Rioja Oriental operating across 100 hectares on Monte Yerga's slopes, where clay-limestone soils and elevations of 550-650 meters provide ideal conditions for their Garnacha-focused portfolio. Under Alvaro Palacios' direction since 2000, the estate employs organic farming, manual harvesting, and indigenous yeast fermentation in concrete and wooden vessels, balancing traditional methods with thoughtful innovation to express the authentic character of their terroir.
Heritage & Leadership
Palacios Remondo was established in 1945 by José Palacios Remondo in the eastern section of Rioja, now known as Rioja Oriental (formerly Rioja Baja). The winery represents one of the foundational estates in this subregion of Spain's most historic wine appellation. Following José's death in 2000, his son Alvaro Palacios assumed leadership of the family estate, bringing with him experience gained from his work in Priorat and Bierzo. Alvaro, who had already established himself as a significant figure in Spanish winemaking through his projects in other regions, returned to his family roots with a clear vision for elevating the estate's wines. Under his direction, Palacios Remondo has shifted focus toward highlighting the unique terroir of Monte Yerga and emphasizing the Garnacha grape, which Alvaro believes expresses the regional character most faithfully.
Vineyards & Wines
Palacios Remondo's vineyards span approximately 100 hectares on the slopes of Monte Yerga near the town of Alfaro in La Rioja. The vineyards sit at elevations between 550 and 650 meters above sea level, providing beneficial temperature variation that contributes to the development of complex flavors in the grapes. The soils consist primarily of clay-limestone with sections containing iron-rich components, particularly well-suited to Garnacha cultivation. While the estate grows multiple varieties, Garnacha dominates the plantings, with additional parcels dedicated to Tempranillo and white Viura grapes. The flagship red wine, La Montesa, blends predominantly Garnacha with smaller proportions of other traditional varieties, while Propiedad represents a more concentrated expression from select vineyard sites. The estate's white wine program centers on Plácet, produced entirely from Viura grapes grown in the La Montesa vineyard.
Philosophy & Practice
Since taking the helm, Alvaro Palacios has implemented farming practices that emphasize vineyard health and authentic expression of terroir. The estate follows organic farming methods throughout their vineyards, eliminating synthetic chemicals and focusing on natural vineyard management. Harvest is conducted manually, with careful selection of grapes both in the vineyard and at sorting tables. In the winery, fermentation occurs in a combination of concrete tanks and wooden vats, with indigenous yeasts preferred to maintain site-specific character. Aging regimens vary by wine, with La Montesa typically spending 12 months in a combination of French oak barrels and larger wooden vessels, while Propiedad receives extended aging in French oak. Throughout the winemaking process, minimal intervention is prioritized to preserve the natural character of the fruit and reflect the distinctive qualities of Monte Yerga's terroir. This approach aligns with Alvaro's broader philosophy of allowing each wine region to express its unique identity through appropriate grape varieties and traditional methods.