The Prodigal Son Returns. Alvaro Palacios had departed Rioja in 1988 to escape the traditional winemaking orthodoxy as practiced by his father, Jose, as well as by virtually every other winemaker in the region. He moved to Priorat, where he could seek his own vision.

But when his gravely ill father asked him to return twelve years later to take control, Alvaro agreed. He would have a free hand, unconstrained by how things had been done in the past. And, perhaps even more important, he would have some spectacular vineyards with which to work.

Back in the 1960’s, his father had planted some 250 acres of vines on chalky, southfacing hillsides which were now producing amazing fruit. Alvaro knew that with these mature vineyards—mostly Tempranillo and Garnacha—he had the raw materials to immediately transform Palacios Remondo into one of Rioja’s elite estates. Together with his sister and brother, Alvaro began his quest to fulfill this estate’s vast potential.

Change Begins. By the time of the 2000 harvest, Alvaro was firmly in charge and change happened at a breathtaking pace. Perhaps the most dramatic change was shutting down the bodega’s négociant business, which in recent years had constituted 75% of its production. Alvaro believed that with 250 acres of great vineyards, he had no need for other growers’ fruit.

He also immediately imposed drastic vineyard management changes. Organic viticulture was implemented, and yields were slashed. In the cellar, they began to phase out the existing cooperage, replacing them with superior French barrels.

Finally, the number of different cuvées produced was cut by more than half. There are now just four wines made:

Rioja Blanco “Placet”—This gorgeous white wine was created in 1999. A pure Viura, grown on chalky soil, it is as precise and mineral as a fine Chablis.

Rioja Tinto “Vendimia”— A pure expression of the estate’s incredible fruit quality, released young to maximize its explosiveness.

Rioja Crianza “Montesa”— Montesa is the name of the vineyard that Alvaro’s father planted. This skillfully crafted red wine, released after one year in oak, is conceived as the estate’s flagship blend—and it reflects the best of the the estate’s past and future.

Rioja Tinto “Propiedad”— A special selection of the estate’s best fruit, this complex red reflects a further refining of Palacios Remondo’s quality potential.