Bodegas Muga is a classic, family-owned winery nestled in the heart of Spain’s famed Rioja region, specifically in the historic Barrio de la Estación in Haro. Founded in 1932 by Isaac Muga and Aurora Caño, the winery has been passionately run by the Muga family across generations, making it one of the most beloved names in Spanish winemaking.
One of Muga’s standout features is its dedication to traditional practices blended with meticulous craftsmanship. Unlike many modern wineries, Bodegas Muga still employs its own on-site cooperage, making all its barrels from American and French oak—a rarity even in the wine world. This allows them to custom-craft barrels to their specifications, giving their wines a distinct aging profile that sets them apart. Their wines often age longer than typical Riojas, allowing for nuanced, polished profiles that honor the Rioja heritage but with a touch of modern refinement.
Muga is best known for its range of Tempranillo-driven red wines, including their flagship Reserva, the highly regarded Prado Enea Gran Reserva, and Aro, a limited, luxury bottling. They also produce a lovely rosé (Muga Rosado) and a white (Muga Blanco), showing their versatility with a wider range of Rioja’s offerings.
A visit to Bodegas Muga is almost like stepping back in time, where age-old techniques, such as fermentation in large oak vats, coexist with a bit of modern wizardry. It’s a place where the past and present merge, much like in the wines themselves, which are celebrated for their elegance, depth, and unmistakable Rioja identity.
The Muga Rioja Reserva 2020, is a blend of Tempranillo, Garnacha tinta, Mazuelo and Graciano (ca. 20 Euro). This wine doesn’t simply greet you; it sweeps in, elegantly cloaked in an aroma cloud of blackberries, blueberries and delicate spice, like that one guest at a party who is already everyone’s favorite before even saying hello.
With the glass raised to your nose, expect an enticing perfume of ripe cherries, plum preserves, and a sultry hint of vanilla—enough to convince you that a Spanish bakery has somehow manifested in your hand.
On the palate, it’s the Rioja equivalent of a well-tailored tuxedo: structured but charming, with a silky entrance that leads to flavors of black cherry, juicy raspberry, and a flirtation with cocoa.
The oak, 80% French and 20% American , brings a sophisticated polish to the whole experience. It’s smooth, like that friend who somehow always knows the perfect moment to crack a joke, keeping the mood light with just enough body to command respect.
The wine is aged for 24 months in casks made by Muga’s own coopers’ workshop and spends a minimum of 12 months in their bottle cellar to give it greater complexity and finesse.
Tannins? They’re as well-behaved as a well-trained spaniel, present and attentive but never overbearing. And the finish? It lingers like a sultry whisper—just long enough to make you want another sip.
A perfect pairing for grilled lamb, roasted vegetables, but my favorite pairing is with the Greek dish Spetsofai from Pelion, a rustic, hearty stew made with spicy country sausages, or, frankly, a day when you’ve decided that your taste buds deserve a little treat! Cheers!