Sierra de Tolono Rioja Rosado, 2025

I admit, we have never wrapped our arms around the vast world of Spanish wine. Some of that is us, but some is due to the vast number of wines and regions, many little know, as well as a changing style of viticulture and wine making in Spain. But we keep trying, and when we hit, we can sell a nice quantity. The wines from Tolono show a side of Rioja that is lighter weight, fresher and more site driven. Vineyards are organic/ biodynamic, no new wood is used, and alcohols are lower and prices are reasonable.

I led with the owner/winemaker’s name in the headline because this is obviously a passion project for Sandra Bravo. “High up in the foothills of the Sierra de Toloño, in Rioja Alavesa, Sandra Bravo works in some of the oldest, and highest altitude vineyards in Rioja, growing Garnacha, Tempranillo, Viura and some Graciano. When I came back to Rioja in 2012, I decided to make wines respecting what the vineyard gives and always looking for freshness. I was in love with this area in Rioja Alavesa, calcareous soil, small plots, Mediterranean herbs and always North wind with high altitude (right in the mountain that gives my name’s project: Sierra de Toloño)... it was perfect! Because all of this my wines are really mineral.” (David Bowler website)

 Sierra Toloño Rosado 2025
$27  Soul Wine Price $22.95
60/40 Tempranillo/Garnacha. Biodynamic/ a blend of saignee (Bled off juice from red wine) and direct press. All stainless. 13% alcohol