Bodegas Bhilar, Thousand Mils, White Rioja

Deliciously complex, with aromas of baked apple and chamomile with a delicate earthy touch. Fresh and saline with leesy richness, flavours of orange marmalade and lovely grip.

Viura 80%, Garnacha Blanca 10%, Malvasia 10% The grapes were hand destemmed, and foot trodden to start the fermentation naturally with indigenous yeast. A gentle punch-down of the cap occurred daily until the wine was pressed. The wines were placed in 225-litre French barriques for 36 months. Wine may throw a deposit in the bottle

Bodegas Bhilar is a boutique winery located in Elvillar, Rioja Alavesa, run by husbandand-wife team, David Sampedro and Melanie Hickman. Together, they make terroirdriven wines with soul, while respecting the land and working with indigenous grapes. For over 20 years the land has been cultivated organically, biodynamically for 15 of those and in 2014, horses replaced tractors in the vineyards. They have been Demeter certified since 2022. David Sampedro Gil grew up in the same vineyards he works today. While earning his masters in oenology, David started his career working in some of the larger wineries in Rioja. Realising that great wines are made in the vineyard, he returned to his vineyards and established Bhilar, reflecting his winemaking philosophy of making unique wines that evoke a sense of place, using sustainable agriculture and minimal intervention in the winery. Bhilar is the Basque name for his village, Elvillar. Their wines are full of personality and perfectly capture the characteristics of the cool-climate vineyards. In 2020, Tim Atkin MW awarded them Winemaker of the Year.