Bodegas Faustino is the largest vineyard owner in Rioja with a long commitment to the traditional style of the region’s wines. The Faustino range includes entry-level and premium wines, sold in more than 100 countries around the world.

History

Located in the Alavesa region of Rioja, Bodegas Faustino has been family owned and run for 160 years since it was bought by founding father, Eleuterio Martínez Arzok, in 1861. The Faustino legacy began with the purchase of a manor house and adjoining vineyards in the town of Oyón in Rioja where wine was produced and sold directly from the barrel.

The company continued to grow and in 1957 the third generation took over. Under the leadership of Julio Faustino Martínez, Faustino launched as an international brand and cemented its position as one of the largest export firms for Reserva and Gran Reserva wines.

Wine Production

Bodegas Faustino owns over 650 hectares of vineyards in the best areas of Rioja DOCa. Laguardia and Rioja Alavesa offer exceptional conditions, including chalky-clay soil and an optimum microclimate resulting in unbeatable quality of grape varieties that grow in Faustino’s vineyards. Love and respect for nature are two of the pillars on which the philosophy of the winery is based. In recent years, Faustino has incorporated new, environmentally-friendly grape growing practices to make the vineyards increasingly sustainable.

Vineyard and Wine Tourism

Visiting Bodegas Faustino is like stepping back in time as it offers a chance to experience and explore the history of wine at one of the most prestigious wineries in the world. Bodegas Faustino is open to visitors from 10am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. A guided tour is available for €20 per person. Bodegas Faustino welcomes over 26,000 visitors to the vineyard each year.

The Iconic Label

The old merchants were the ones in charge of taking the wine to all the countries of the world. For this reason, and because of the family’s passion for art, the third generation of Bodegas Faustino chose Rembrandt’s 1641 portrait of the Dutch merchant, Nicolaes Van Bambeeck, to represent this spirit on their labels. Oyón.

The Wines

Faustino I Gran Reserva Rioja – the Flagship Wine

Tasting Notes: Clean, bright, ruby colour developing to maroon. The nose is complex and elegant, with fruity and spicy notes. The mouth is elegant, with pleasant notes from the barrel ageing and a long and silky finish.

Pairing: Faustino I pairs well with red meat, oily fish such as tuna or cod as well as mushrooms and rice. Faustino I is also delicious with medium-aged cheese such as Emmental or Gruyère.

Grape: Tempranillo, Graciano & Mazuela
D.O.Ca: Rioja
Maturation: Minimum 26 months in American and French oak barrels
RRP: £17.00 for a 75cl bottle
Stockists: Asda, Tesco & Ocado
Rating: 92 points

Faustino Icon

Tasting Notes: Clean, bright with a deep, intense cherry red colour that becomes slightly lighter towards the rim. On the nose, the wine is intense and complex with warm, ripe forest fruit aromas, spicy notes and hints of wood in the background. The palate is elegant, full of flavour and structured with well-integrated and polished tannins, providing a balanced mouthfeel. The finish is complex, rich and long-lasting.

Pairing: Faustino Icon pairs well with any kind of meat as well as grilled or fried potatoes and oily fish such as tuna or cod. It also complements medium-aged cheeses, rice and pasta.

Grape: Tempranillo and Graciano
D.O.Ca: Rioja
Maturation: Minimum 18 months in French oak barrels
RRP: £32.95 for a 75cl bottle
Stockist: Master of Malt
Rating: 93 points

Faustino V Rioja

Tasting Notes: Clean, bright, cherry red developing to maroon. The nose is very intense with well-integrated aromas of sweet American oak barrels. On the palate are hints of fruit, vanilla and spices with a medium to long finish.

Pairing: Faustino V pairs well with grilled or fried potatoes, mushrooms, ham as well as oily fish such as tuna and cod. Faustino V also complements medium-ripe cheese, rice and pasta.

Grape: Tempranillo and Mazuela
D.O.Ca: Rioja
Maturation: Minimum 18 months in American oak barrels
RRP: £14.00 for a 75cl bottle
Stockists: Asda & Ocado

Faustino VII Rioja

Tasting Notes: Clean, bright, cherry red colour developing to maroon. Pleasant on the nose with a hint of ripe red fruits balanced with sweet notes from the barrel ageing. Faustino VII is elegant, velvety and fresh with a medium finish.

Pairing: Faustino VII pairs well with tasty or oily fish such as tuna and cod as well as grilled or fried potatoes, rice, pasta and mushrooms. Faustino VII Rioja also pairs well with medium-aged cheese and berry desserts.

Grape: Tempranillo
D.O.Ca: Rioja
Maturation: Minimum 6 months in American oak barrels
RRP: £8.00 for a 75cl bottle
Stockists: Tesco, Asda & Ocado

Faustino VII White

Tasting Notes: Clean, bright, pale gold yellow. The nose has marked character of white fruit, such as pear and apple. On the palate are floral and herbaceous hints with good acidity that is fresh and balanced. Fruity finish and medium intensity.

Pairing: Faustino VII White pairs well with fish, seafood and potatoes. Cheeses such as goats’ cheese and Roquefort are also an excellent match as well as basil pasta, fried tomatoes or vegetables.

Grape: Macabeo
D.O.Ca: Rioja
Maturation: 12 hours maceration and 16°C fermentation
RRP: £7.00 for a 75cl bottle
Stockist: Asda

Faustino VII Rosé

Tasting Notes: Attractive pale pink colour with golden tones on the rim. Complex & intense with aromas of fresh fruit (raspberry & strawberry) and floral (white flowers, almond, orange blossom, rose). Elegant, crisp & pleasant. The well-integrated acidity gives the rosé freshness with a very fruity finish and slight hints of strawberries and cream.

Pairing: Faustino VII Rosé pairs well with pasta and vegetables as well as Quiche Lorraine and grilled mild fish. The rosé is also very good with white meats such as turkey and chicken along with gyoza and ramen. It is also perfect with cakes and desserts such as strawberries and cream.

Grape: Macabeo & Tempranillo
D.O.Ca: Rioja
Maturation: 1 hour cold maceration and 16°C fermentation
RRP: £7.00 for a 75cl bottle
Stockist: Asda

Faustino Cava Brut Reserva

Tasting Notes: Clean, bright, pale yellow colour with a gold rim and fine bubbles. The nose is warm and fruity, with hints of white fruit, honey, apple and floral notes. Faustino Cava is sweet, pleasant and balanced with a long finish.

Pairing: Faustino Cava pairs well with cold meats or duck, baked potatoes, mushrooms and strong cheese. Salted fish, seafood and caviar are also an excellent pairing.

Grape: Parellada, Macabeo & Chardonnay
D.O.Ca: Cava
Maturation: Minimum 15 months ageing sur lattes
RRP: £12.00 for a 75cl bottle
Stockists: Ocado

W: Bodegas Faustino