3 natural spots in Rioja, editor-picked by Cork & Curve. All dietary guides in Rioja.
Bodega Tentenublo Wines ★ 4.5
Rioja Alavesa · Camino del Soto 22, 01307 Vinaspre, Alava, Spain
Roberto Olivan makes low-intervention field-blend Rioja near Vinaspre with spontaneous fermentation, minimal sulfites and a light touch of oak. The wines are vivid, aromatic and built on old vines rather than a certification scheme.
Tip: These are natural-leaning rather than certified; the single-site and village bottlings best show the wild, aromatic style.
Pedro Balda ★ 4.4
San Vicente de la Sonsierra · 26338 San Vicente de la Sonsierra, La Rioja, Spain
A pioneer of natural Rioja in San Vicente de la Sonsierra since 2008, working without pesticides or systemic treatments, hand-harvesting and bottling unfiltered with no added sulfites. Balda states plainly he is neither certified organic nor biodynamic.
Tip: No certification and no added sulfites; production is tiny and sold through natural-wine specialists.
Bodegas Honorio Rubio ★ 4.3
Najerilla valley, Rioja Alta · Calle Mayor 12, 26323 Cordovin, La Rioja, Spain
At this Cordovin family cellar fermentation starts spontaneously and sulfite use is held back until just before fining, with some bottlings made with no SO2 added. The house specialises in reviving Rioja clarete and macerated white styles in a natural-wine idiom.
Tip: Low-intervention rather than certified; the clarete and macerado whites are the most distinctive bottles.