Why it matters
The producer
In Manchuela, the Eguren family selects grapes from contracted vineyards under family control and vinifies them as young, clean Spanish wines. Dominio de Eguren was founded by the fourth generation of the Eguren family, with Marcos Eguren as winemaker and Miguel Angel Eguren as general manager.
The vineyard selection includes Tempranillo, Bobal, Viura, also known as Macabeo, and Airén. The project also draws some production from young family vineyards in Rioja and Toro, planted with massal selections of Tempranillo and Tinta de Toro. Its stated approach is simple: select the highest quality grapes, use cold soaking and stainless steel fermentation, and bottle young wines.
Place and vineyards
Where the wines begin
Most vineyards used by the project are leased under long term contracts in Manchuela. Some production comes from young family vineyards in Rioja and Toro, giving the range more than one Spanish source of fruit.
The wines are vinified at the family's winery in Manchuela, then transported to Rioja near the company's headquarters for bottling and shipping. Manchuela remains the production base, while Rioja handles the final logistical stage.
In the cellar
Vineyards and cellar
The basic young wine method begins with a cold soak followed by fermentation in stainless steel. Protocolo receives a 48 hour cold soak in stainless steel before fermentation, followed by eight days of post fermentation maceration.
Fermentation uses yeasts selected and cultured from the family's vineyards and cellar. Protocolo is cold stabilized, then receives light micro oxygenation to soften its tannins. It is bottled young to protect freshness and aromatics.
Wines to know
The range in view
The official group range lists Protocolo and Códice wines under IGP Vinos de la Tierra. Protocolo Tinto is the red Protocolo wine, made from Tempranillo and positioned as a young bottling. Códice appears as a separate name within the same core range.
The range is built around accessible young wines rather than extended ageing categories. Protocolo's varietal format keeps the grape visible, while the broader vineyard program includes Bobal, Viura, Airén, and Tinta de Toro among the family's selected fruit sources.