A note from our sponsor

Established in Haro in the heart of Rioja Alta in 1924, Ramón Bilbao today sources grapes from 180ha of its own vineyards, with access to a further 900ha through long-term contracts with growers. The appointment of Rodolfo Bastida as head winemaker in 1999 marked a new era in the company’s history: Rioja born-andbred, Bastida believes that the grapes he selects should speak for themselves in his wines, and not be hidden by over-ageing and over-oaking. The purchase of a ‘dream parcel’ of vines high in the Yerga mountains in the eastern part of Rioja gave Bastida and Ramón Bilbao its first vineyard in Rioja Oriental. The first release in 2016 was the Lalomba Rosado.

According to statistics from Nielsen, Ramón Bilbao is currently the best-selling brand (with appellation) in the Spanish on-trade, and is one of the fastest growing Rioja brands in the off-trade (+29%) in its competitive set. The producer has been owned by Zamora Company, one of the largest family beverage companies in Spain, since 1999 and is distributed by Enotria&Coe in the UK.