Bodegas La Horra
Bodegas La Horra is the Ribera del Duero estate of Bodegas Roda, founded to explore the purest expression of Tempranillo outside Rioja through precision viticulture and sustainable methods.
History of Bodegas La Horra
Bodegas La Horra was established in 2009 as a project born from the deep viticultural expertise of Bodegas Roda, one of Rioja’s most respected modern estates. After four years of detailed research and site analysis, the Roda technical team identified La Horra, a village in Burgos province, as offering the perfect conditions for Tempranillo—locally known as Tinta del País—to thrive in a different guise than in Rioja.
To bring this vision to life, Roda partnered with the Balbás family, long-time custodians of some of La Horra’s finest vineyard parcels, many of which feature old, dry-farmed bush vines planted over 50 years ago. The winery itself is built into the hillside in harmony with the surrounding landscape, designed to operate with sustainability at its core, using gravity-flow and energy-efficient systems.
Winemaker Agustín Santolaya, also general director of Roda, leads the team with a philosophy rooted in minimal intervention, allowing the character of the vineyard and vintage to guide each wine. Since its foundation, La Horra has quickly earned recognition for producing wines of depth, elegance, and purity, that rival some of the region’s most established names.
Region and Vineyards
La Horra is located in the northern sector of Ribera del Duero, within the province of Burgos—considered one of the denomination’s most prestigious zones. Here, altitude ranges from 800 to 850 meters, promoting fresh nights and slow ripening. The vineyards rest on limestone and chalk soils, offering excellent drainage and mineral complexity.
The estate focuses exclusively on Tempranillo, cultivated through organic farming and without irrigation. The vineyard holdings are composed of two distinct tiers: vines around 25 years old for Corimbo, and over 50 years for the flagship Corimbo I. This age difference is critical to the stylistic identity of each wine.
The vineyards are situated on a patchwork of terraces, slopes (laderas), and hillsides (cuestas)—topographies that add nuance and complexity. This region benefits from a harsh continental climate, with hot summers, cold winters, and dramatic diurnal shifts, resulting in structured yet vibrant wines.
Wine Range of Bodegas La Horra
- Corimbo: Made from organically grown Tempranillo vines averaging 25 years old. A fresher, more fruit-forward Ribera del Duero with elegance and precision.
- Corimbo I: The grand vin, produced only in the finest vintages from old vines over 50 years of age. Powerful, concentrated, and cellar-worthy, yet always refined.
- (Experimental cuvées and future parcels under study may expand the range, though the estate remains focused solely on Tempranillo.)
Did you know?
Bodegas La Horra was one of the first major Ribera del Duero estates to commit to certified organic farming across all its vineyards—a rarity in a region known for intensive viticulture. This commitment is driven not by trend, but by the belief that healthy soils and balanced vines yield wines of greater authenticity and longevity.
