Founded in 1972, Bodegas Lan is already one of the leading producers of fine Rioja wines. Incidentally, the name is made up of the first letters of the provinces of Logrono, Alava and Navarra, a reference to the great history of this corner of Rioja, as the Romans cultivated wine here. Today, the bodega cultivates around 70 hectares along the River Ebro, which has a significant influence on the microclimates of the parcels. As is common practice with many other producers, grapes are purchased for the winery's own needs, but only from winegrowers who meet the bodega's high quality standards. Of course, the main grape variety grown here is Rioja's flagship variety, Tempranillo, flanked by the indigenous Graciano and Mazuelo varieties. Here, protected by the Sierra Cantabria mountain range and in the catchment area of the morning mists of the Ebro, the vines enjoy a moderately warm climate in which the grapes are allowed to ripen for a long time and develop a rich aromatic spectrum. The grapes are harvested by hand in small crates according to modern standards so that they can be brought to the winery unharmed. Bodegas Lan goes its own way when maturing the wines, as the individualistic batches are stored in different types of wood that are tailored to the wine type and characteristics of the wine. In addition to the American oak barrels commonly used in Rioja, wooden barrels from Hungary, Russia, Spain and France are also used. Bodega Lan's most ingenious invention is the use of American oak barrels, albeit with French oak lids and bottoms. The most remarkable wines come from single vineyards, such as Vina Lanciano, picturesquely situated in a bend of the Ebro river, or those highly prized flagship wines "Culmen", "A Mano" or "El Rincon". The international wine world appreciates the extraordinary work of Bodegas Lan, as it is the only winery to have been voted one of the world's best "Top 100 Wineries" three years in a row.
