The Pagos del Camino Loriñón wines are deeply rooted in the unique geography and rich history of the Rioja Alta sub-region of Spain. The vineyards' location on the  Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route and proximity to the ancient Suso and Yuso Monasteries and the Cistercian Abbey de Canas, tell the story of a winemaking tradition forged by both spiritual journeys and traditional know-how. The high-altitude terroir, the diverse, challenging soils and many old, traditional bush-trained vines, are central to the wine's character, producing an elegant expression of classic Rioja with balanced freshness and complexity. Winemaker Miguel Ángel Rodríguez masterfully harnesses these elements, employing meticulous vineyard management and thoughtful winemaking sharing a true sense of place in every bottle.

 

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History

• Ancient Influence of Monasteries: The nearby Suso and Yuso Monasteries, UNESCO World Heritage sites and the birthplace of the Spanish language, were centers of learning and agricultural innovation, where monks preserved and refined winemaking knowledge for centuries. “I want to make a prose in plain romance, in which the people usually speak with their neighbor, as I am not so learned to make another in Latin. It will be worth, as I believe, a glass of good wine.” These verses by the poet Gonzalo de Berceo, a monk who lived in the 13th century in the monastery of San Millán de Suso, are just one of the many historical testimonies to the region’s rich winemaking tradition. 

• The Camino de Santiago Impact: The vineyards lie in Navarrete, a key stop on the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route. The constant flow of pilgrims over a millennium facilitated the exchange of viticultural techniques and helped embed winemaking deeply into the local culture.

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Vineyards

• High-Altitude Terroir: Situated at a high elevation in the western Rioja Alta, the vineyards benefit from a significant Atlantic climate influence, which causes large day-night temperature variations. This thermal contrast is crucial for slow grape ripening, preserving vibrant acidity and freshness in the final wine.

• Diverse, Challenging Soils: The land is characterized by a mosaic of "poor" soils, including calcareous-clay, iron-ferrous, and alluvial components.

  • Calcareous-clay provides excellent water retention and structure to the wine.

  • Iron-rich soils contribute a unique mineral freshness and complexity.

  • These tough conditions force the vines to struggle, leading to lower yields of intensely concentrated fruit.

• Older Vines for Quality: Many of the small vineyard plots feature older, often traditional bush-trained vines. The low yields from these mature vines result in high-quality grapes that express a true sense of the region's specific terroir.

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Wines and Winemaking:

• Miguel Ángel Rodríguez established Vinícola Real ('parent' brand of Pagos del Camino, a newer project)  in 1989 with a distinct vision: to pay tribute to the traditional viticulture model dating back to the 10th century, a time when monks played a vital role in safeguarding agriculture in the region.

• He practices traditional viticulture respecting organic principles, working with small, dedicated teams and often using older, low-yielding vines. His wines are known for a refreshing acidity, even in aged Gran Reservas, a result of his focus on "phenolic maturity" of the grape components rather than just sugar and acidity levels.