Pujanza
Summary
Pujanza is a boutique Rioja Alavesa winery founded in 1998 by Carlos San Pedro, who crafts primarily Tempranillo-based wines from high-elevation (500-700m) vineyards with calcareous clay soils in Laguardia, Spain. San Pedro's terroir-focused approach emphasizes single-vineyard expressions aged in French oak rather than traditional American barrels, representing the new wave of producers redefining Rioja's potential through site-specific character.
Heritage & Leadership
Pujanza was established in 1998 by Carlos San Pedro in the historic village of Laguardia in Rioja Alavesa, Spain. San Pedro, who comes from a winemaking family that has operated Bodegas Carlos San Pedro Perez de Viñaspre for generations, launched Pujanza as his personal project focused on creating terroir-driven wines. The winery released its first vintage in 2001, marking the beginning of what would become one of Rioja Alavesa's notable boutique operations. Carlos San Pedro serves as both owner and winemaker, personally overseeing all aspects of production from vineyard management to final blending. His deep connection to the land in Laguardia informs his winemaking decisions, as he works with vineyards his family has tended for decades.
Vineyards & Wines
Pujanza's vineyards are situated in the Rioja Alavesa subregion, characterized by higher elevations and calcareous clay soils. The winery focuses on two principal single vineyards: Finca Valdepoleo, which sits at approximately 600 meters above sea level, and Norte, a north-facing vineyard that provides grapes for their eponymous wine. Tempranillo dominates their plantings, thriving in the continental climate with Mediterranean influences typical of this northern section of Rioja. The altitude of their vineyards (ranging from 500-700 meters) contributes to a longer growing season, allowing for slower ripening and greater aromatic development in the grapes. The portfolio includes several distinct bottlings, with Pujanza Crianza serving as their entry-level offering, while Pujanza Norte, Pujanza Finca Valdepoleo, and Pujanza Cisma represent their single-vineyard expressions, each reflecting the specific characteristics of their source plots.
Philosophy & Practice
Carlos San Pedro's approach at Pujanza represents a thoughtful balance between traditional Rioja methods and modern techniques. The winery practices hand harvesting across all vineyards, followed by careful sorting to ensure only optimal fruit enters production. Fermentation occurs in stainless steel tanks, allowing for temperature control that preserves the fruit character of the Tempranillo. For aging, San Pedro employs French oak barrels rather than the American oak more commonly associated with traditional Rioja, seeking a subtler oak influence that doesn't overwhelm the vineyard character. The winery's focus on single-vineyard bottlings reflects San Pedro's commitment to expressing the specific terroir of each site. This vineyard-focused philosophy extends to the cellar, where intervention is kept minimal to allow the characteristics of each plot to shine through in the finished wines. Each wine receives individualized aging protocols based on the character of the vintage and the specific vineyard source.