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Some evenings call for the comfort of a familiar favourite. Others invite you to discover something completely new.
If tonight feels like one of those evenings, Ondarre Graciano is a wonderful place to begin. While Tempranillo may be Rioja's best-known grape, Graciano has long been prized for its fragrance, freshness and elegant structure. Here, it takes centre stage, creating a vibrant, expressive wine unlike almost any other Rioja you may have tried.
Rich with dark berry fruit yet lifted by lively acidity and gentle spice, this is a fascinating bottle for established Rioja drinkers and anyone who enjoys discovering lesser-known grapes. It doesn't ask you to leave Rioja behind; it simply invites you to experience another side of it.
Why We Think You'll Love It
Merchant's Recommendation
Recommended if you enjoy: discovering lesser-known grape varieties, aromatic Rioja, Cabernet Franc, cooler-climate Syrah and structured red wines with freshness, perfume and savoury character.
Most Rioja drinkers know Tempranillo.
Far fewer have experienced Graciano on its own.
That makes Ondarre Graciano one of the most interesting bottles in the range. It retains enough dark fruit and subtle oak to feel reassuringly Rioja, but its fragrance, energy and freshness give it a personality all of its own.
This is the bottle we recommend when someone says, “I enjoy Rioja, but I'd like to try something a little different.”
It isn't unusual simply for the sake of being unusual. It offers a genuinely rewarding expression of a grape that normally works quietly behind the scenes in some of Rioja's finest wines.
Tasting Notes
Appearance: Deep purple-red with vibrant violet highlights, immediately suggesting concentration and youthful energy.
Nose: Highly expressive aromas of ripe blueberry, blackberry and dark plum are joined by violets, cracked black pepper, dried herbs and gentle sweet spice. Subtle vanilla and cedar from oak ageing sit beneath the fruit without overwhelming its natural fragrance.
Palate: Full-flavoured yet elegant, with juicy dark berries supported by lively acidity, fine tannins and savoury spice. The wine has concentration without heaviness, while its freshness gives it energy and definition from the first sip to the last.
Finish: Long, fresh and gently warming, leaving lingering notes of blueberry, plum, pepper, dried herbs and subtle oak.
About Bodegas Ondarre
Bodegas Ondarre is based in Viana and has built its reputation by combining Rioja's traditions with a willingness to express the character of individual vineyards and grape varieties.
That approach makes the winery particularly well suited to producing a wine such as this. Rather than treating Graciano merely as a minor blending component, Ondarre allows the grape to speak for itself, revealing the fragrance, freshness and structure that winemakers have valued for generations.
Discover more in our Bodegas Ondarre producer guide.
Why Graciano?
Graciano usually plays a supporting role in Rioja, where even a modest proportion can contribute fragrance, acidity and ageing potential to a blend dominated by Tempranillo.
Producing it as a single-varietal wine offers a rare opportunity to experience those qualities directly. The result is more aromatic, energetic and distinctive than many traditional Rioja blends, while still retaining the balance and savoury character associated with the region.
You don't need to understand Graciano before opening the bottle. However, tasting it on its own may help you recognise what the grape has quietly contributed to other Riojas you've enjoyed.
Discover more in our guide: Graciano – Rioja's Hidden Gem.
Vineyards
The grapes come from vineyards around Viana on the northern hills overlooking the Rioja valley. The south-facing slopes sit at approximately 550 metres above sea level, allowing the fruit to ripen fully while cooler conditions help preserve Graciano's naturally vibrant acidity and aromatic character.
The vines average around twenty-five years of age, providing sufficient concentration to create depth and richness without losing the freshness that defines the grape.
Winemaking
The grapes are harvested at optimum maturity before fermentation in temperature-controlled vats at approximately 28°C.
The wine then spends twelve months in oak, divided equally between new French barrels and medium-grain Missouri oak.
French oak adds cedar, fine structure and restrained spice, while Missouri oak contributes vanilla, warmth and the familiar seasoning associated with traditional Rioja. The oak gives the wine depth and polish without hiding Graciano's natural fruit and perfume.
Food Pairing
Ondarre Graciano's dark fruit, freshness and savoury structure make it particularly good with roast lamb, beef, venison and other richly flavoured red meats.
It also works beautifully with grilled mushrooms, lentil dishes, charred vegetables, Manchego and mature hard cheeses. Its acidity helps refresh the palate, making it a useful partner for meals with depth and richness.
Explore more ideas in our Rioja Food Pairing Guide.
Serving & Cellaring
Serve at around 16–18°C. Although often described as room temperature, most modern rooms are warmer than ideal, so a short spell in the fridge before serving may help the wine retain its freshness and definition.
Opening the bottle around thirty minutes before drinking will allow its dark fruit, floral aromas and spice to become more expressive.
The wine is enjoyable now, but Graciano's natural acidity and structure should also allow it to develop further, gradually revealing more savoury, earthy and dried-herb character.
Merchant's Verdict
Ondarre Graciano isn't the bottle we'd choose when someone simply wants the most familiar expression of Rioja.
It is the bottle we'd choose when they are ready to explore.
Its appeal lies in discovering how different Rioja can feel when Graciano moves from the background to the centre of the wine. The dark fruit and oak provide enough familiarity to make it immediately enjoyable, while its perfume, freshness and structure offer something genuinely distinctive.
For experienced Rioja drinkers, it reveals another part of a region they may already love. For curious wine enthusiasts, it offers the pleasure of discovering a grape that deserves to be far better known.
Continue Your Discovery
If this bottle has sparked your curiosity, these guides offer three natural directions to explore next.
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