Why it matters
The producer
Finca Ygay surrounds the winery where Marqués de Murrieta makes all its wines from estate grown fruit. Luciano de Murrieta brought techniques learned in Bordeaux to Rioja and made his first Rioja wine in 1852, intending it to age and travel beyond Spain. He exported that vintage to Mexico and Cuba.
Luciano bought the Castillo Ygay estate in 1872. The Cebrián-Sagarriga family has led Marqués de Murrieta Estates and Wines since 1983. Vicente Dalmau Cebrián-Sagarriga took charge in 1996 at age 26 after his father's death. María Vargas leads the vineyard team today.
Place and vineyards
Where the wines begin
Finca Ygay lies in the south of Rioja Alta and surrounds the winery. Castillo de Ygay is the headquarters of Marqués de Murrieta and was declared a museum in 2019.
The estate controls the fruit used for production. Its named vineyard holdings include Capellanía, Canajas and La Plana, each attached to a specific wine in the range.
Wines to know
The range in view
The range includes Marqués de Murrieta Reserva, Dalmau, Castillo Ygay and Capellanía. Dalmau is the bolder red expression, built from Tempranillo with Cabernet Sauvignon and Graciano. Castillo Ygay is the flagship red, blending Tempranillo and Mazuelo.
Capellanía is a single vineyard Viura white from the Capellanía plot. The estate also makes two small production white wines based largely on Viura. The bottles move from a Reserva red to named vineyard wines, with Dalmau and Castillo Ygay carrying distinct red blends and Capellanía providing the white wine address.