Marqués de Murrieta

Luciano de Murrieta founded the winery in 1852 after studying winemaking techniques in Bordeaux. He established the production in Logroño and is credited with creating the first fine wines in Rioja intended for export and long-term aging. In 1872, he acquired the Finca Ygay estate where the current winery buildings and the historic Castillo Ygay are located. The estate remained in the founder’s lineage until 1983, when it was purchased by Vicente Cebrián Sagarriga, the Count of Creixell. Following his death in 1986, his son Vicente Dalmau Cebrián-Sagarriga took over leadership and currently manages the winery alongside his sister Cristina.

The winery operates as a single-estate producer, sourcing all fruit from the 300-hectare Finca Ygay located at the southern tip of the Rioja Alta sub-region. The vineyards are situated at altitudes ranging from 320 to 485 meters and are characterized by calcareous-clay soils with some stony alluvial areas. Under the direction of head winemaker María Vargas, who joined the estate in 1995, the winemaking team focuses on traditional long-term aging while integrating modern technology. Red wines are typically fermented in stainless steel followed by extensive maturation in American and French oak barrels. The estate uses a mix of indigenous varieties, including Tempranillo, Mazuelo, Graciano, and Garnacha for reds, and Viura for whites.

The flagship wine of the house is Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial, a red blend produced only in exceptional vintages and aged for several years in oak and bottle before release. The estate also produces the Marqués de Murrieta Reserva, which serves as a benchmark for the property's style and aging potential. More modern expressions include Dalmau, a red wine that incorporates a small percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon and is aged in French barriques. In addition to red wines, the winery is known for its wood-aged whites, specifically the Capellanía and the rare, long-aged Castillo Ygay Blanco. The estate is widely regarded as a founding pillar of the Rioja region and maintains a reputation for consistency across its portfolio.