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Being acknowledged on a global level inspires us to continue sharing the essence of our vineyards and the passion we put into every bottle
While its eye-catching architecture may be turning heads, Spanish winery Ysios is also building an international reputation for the attention to detail that it pours into each plot within its Rioja Alavesa vineyards, allowing wine lovers to experience the unexpected
Pioneers of precision
Celebrating the science of singular vineyards
With its jaw-dropping wave-shaped roof and its soaring cathedral-like picture windows, Bodegas Ysios is not only one of the most distinctive wineries in Rioja Alavesa but perhaps throughout the whole of Rioja. Tucked into the base of the Sierra de Cantabria, the winery’s undulating roof – designed by renowned architect Santiago Calatrava – echoes the peaks of the mountain range beyond.
Yet there’s more to Ysios than its stunning avant-garde architecture. Beyond its iconic façade lies the hidden gem: a winery that is a true pioneer of precision, paying such close attention to each individual plot that it has mastered the science of singular vineyards or Viñedos Singulares.
Ysios’ focus on mastering micro-cultivation is led by Clara Canals, the label’s head winemaker. Recognised as one of the world’s top winemakers, Clara brings an unparalleled attention to detail to her work in the cellars. She uncovers the subtle nuances within each barrel that other winemakers might ignore, and transforms them into wines of remarkable depth and complexity.
Clara was born in the Catalonian port of Tarragona in 1982 and studied biology and biochemistry at the University of Navarra before gaining her master’s degree in oenology and viticulture at Montpellier in France. She completed harvests in Argentina, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, and returned to her native Spain in 2011, before joining the Ysios family in 2020.
The Rioja region straddles both banks of the Ebro River in Northern Spain, and is divided into three sub-regions: Rioja Alavesa, Rioja Alta, and Rioja Oriental. What sets Rioja apart is the vast diversity of its soils and microclimates, elevating the area to among the world’s best-known wine regions.
Rioja Alavesa, home to Ysios, spans an area consisting of 18 municipalities, and covers just over 300 km² spread across the southern part of the Álava province, on the northern bank of the Ebro River. It has a unique environment for growing grapes, thanks to the influence of the Atlantic Ocean’s cooling breezes on its climate and its complex mix of predominantly clay and limestone soils, arranged in small plots and terraces. Ysios sees Rioja Alavesa’s complexity not as a challenge but as an opportunity.
Bodegas Ysios carries out meticulous work in each of its vineyards, studying the soil chemistry and microclimate of each individual plot so that it can manage its vines with precision. Following the painstaking work in the vineyards, the same attention to detail continues in the winery, where Clara and her colleagues spend time and effort translating the individual characteristics of each plot into wines that will stand the test of time and will delight palates around the world.
Published February 12th 2026
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Exploring Rioja Alavesa’s complex microclimates
This attention to detail has seen Ysios rising up the rankings of the World’s 50 Best Vineyards, climbing from fourth spot in 2024 to third place in 2025. The triumph meant Ysios became the highest-ranked Spanish winery on the prestigious list, which was unveiled during a ceremony in Australia’s stunning Margaret River wine region.
‘This recognition reflects the dedication, craftsmanship, and deep bond with our terroir, a core value for Ysios,’ said Clara. ‘Being acknowledged on a global level inspires us to continue sharing the essence of our vineyards and the passion we put into every bottle.’
Those Viñedos Singulares wines include Finca Lagunazuri, made from Tempranillo grapes harvested from bush vines in a single-hectare plot planted in 1930, and Las Naves, a blend of Tempranillo with small amounts of Garnacha, Graciano, and Viura drawn from a 1.1ha vineyard planted before 1902. Finca El Nogal, planted in 1964, is 100% Tempranillo, and makes up Ysios' total three Viñedos Singulares, out of around 140 in Rioja.
Now, Clara and her team are welcoming guests from around the world to Ysios’ stunning winery in Rioja Alavesa so they can learn more about the precision with which its wines are made. Whether they are walking through the vineyards or riding on one of the winery’s ‘winecars’ – or golf carts – guests are immersed in the winery’s philosophy and leave with an appreciation for the attention to detail that goes into every bottle.
Taking a bow on the world stage
The Ysios winery in Rioja Alavesa
Winemaker Clara Canals
The Ysios winery in Rioja Alavesa
Finca Lagunazuri
Las Naves