When you work in wine long enough, certain producers stop being just names on labels and start to feel more like family. For us at Hattersley Wines, Bodegas Ontañón is one of those. Our relationship with them has been going strong for years, and every time we pick up a a bottle it feels like a nod from an old friend.
Part of the magic is Conrado. If you’ve ever joined one of our tastings, you’ll know exactly who we mean. Tall, charming, with that spark in his eye, Conrado brings Ontañón to life every time he visits us. He doesn’t just pour wine, he tells the stories behind each glass, the people, the vines, the land, and in turn, when we visit Rioja, he makes sure we’re welcomed as warmly as family. Our tastings simply wouldn’t be the same without him.
Ontañón itself is a winery steeped in history, a family-owned estate that has grown with patience and care, much like their vines. Based in Rioja Oriental, they’ve carved out a place as one of the region’s most respected producers, marrying tradition with a modern touch. Their philosophy has always been about respect, for the land, for the grape, and for the generations who’ve carried the craft forward. You feel that sense of heritage in every bottle.
Take their Crianza for instance, a beautiful introduction to the style of the house, with ripe red fruit, a gentle lick of spice from oak, and the sort of balance that makes you reach for a second glass before you’ve even finished the first. Then there’s the Reserva, which steps things up in richness and complexity, with dark berries, a touch of leather and that polished structure which reminds you why Rioja has such a revered reputation. For those moments when patience is rewarded, the Gran Reserva shows just how graceful Rioja can be with time, elegant, layered, and endlessly charming.
Ontañón don’t stand still, either. Their project Rippa Dorii, based in Ribera del Duero, is proof of their curiosity and commitment to showcasing the best of Spain’s regions. Made from Tempranillo grown in a different terroir altogether, these wines bring a darker, more powerful expression, yet still carry that same family touch we’ve come to love.
For us, Ontañón are more than just a producer we stock. They represent the kind of relationship we want all our wines to have behind them, personal, genuine, and lasting. Every visit, whether ours to Rioja or Conrado’s to Bakewell, strengthens that bond and every bottle that finds its way onto your table carries a little of that story too.
So next time you open one of their wines, raise a glass not just to the flavours of Rioja, but to the friendship and dedication that make them so special. We certainly will.
