If you are already considered one of the most successful restaurateurs in Spain, what could be more obvious than producing your own wines? Gonzales Antón's reputation precedes him and with Bodega Izadi in Rioja, he made the extremely successful step into the world of fine wines in the 1980s, but that was not enough. In the meantime, the Antón family's Artevino group, Finca Villacreces in the Ribera del Duero and Bodegas Vetus in Toro, are producing further remarkable wines in Spain's top regions. Since 2005, Bogegas Orben in Rioja Alavesa has joined this exclusive trio. Located just 10 kilometers from the small community of Vilabuena, the 74 parcels of the bodega offer spectacular views of the wildly romantic town of Laguardia and the surrounding Sierra Cantabria mountain range. Situated at 650 meters above sea level, the vineyards and winery are among the highest in the region, and with its ultra-modern facilities, Bodegas Orben is also one of the most state-of-the-art wineries in Rioja. However, the wines that leave the winery here, which come from parcels planted in the 1940s and 1950s, are not ultra-modern, technical wines, but reflect the tradition of the region in their character. Most of them are made from the noble Rioja variety, Tempranillo, with just a small amount of Graciano and Malvasia. And here, in this part of the region, the ravens find the barren, chalky soils to be ideal. The combination of cool Atlantic influences and warmer Mediterranean ones ensures that the grapes ripen for a long time. The wines are matured in French oak barrels. Among the 30 hectares of vineyards is the single vineyard "Malpuesto", a real gem. The few bottles that can be pressed here are now among the most sought-after Rioja wines of all. Overall, the wines from Bodegas Orben are characterised by their richness and intensity, but their gentle character should not be underestimated, as they have considerable ageing potential.
