The Global Success Story of Marqués de Murrieta.
By Niels Aarts, Dutch Wine Apprentice – Grape Masters, Episode 5
Some stories deserve more than a simple telling—they should be lived, walked through, and savored, much like a great bottle of wine. Visiting Marqués de Murrieta in Rioja was not just an interview for our Grape Masters podcast—it was a journey into the heart of Spanish wine, guided by a man who embodies the spirit of the estate: Vicente Dalmau Cebrián-Sagarriga.
What started as a warm welcome quickly unfolded into an intimate story of transformation, heritage, and global ambition. A tale told not just in words, but through vineyards, centuries-old cellars, and a glass of wine that had been patiently waiting for over a decade to speak.
A Family Thread Between Two Regions
The Murrieta story begins not in Rioja, but in Galicia, where the Cebrián-Sagarriga family owns Pazo de Barrantes in Rías Baixas. Here, Vicente has transformed Albariño from a light, youthful wine into a structured, age-worthy expression. Wines like La Comtesse and Pazo Barrantes spend years aging in acacia, concrete, and bottle—an approach that mirrors the patience and precision found in their red wine counterparts.
This duality, Atlantic whites and Rioja reds, isn’t a contradiction, but a complementary philosophy: wines should not be rushed. They should be heard, understood, and released only when they’re ready.
The Weight of Inheritance, the Spark of Change
Vicente’s relationship with Murrieta began as a teenager, when his father acquired the estate in 1983. By 16, he was involved in export; by 24, general manager; and by 26, unexpectedly in charge following his father’s sudden death.
Grief, responsibility, and ambition collided—but instead of retreating, Vicente went quiet. For several years, he worked behind the scenes, planning a rebirth. “You don’t just run a winery like this,” he told us. “You become its custodian.”
This perspective shaped the new era of Marqués de Murrieta: hiring young talent like winemaker María Vargas, restoring the 19th-century Castillo Ygay, investing in a cutting-edge winery, and refining the style of every wine they made.
Elegance over Power: A New Direction in Rioja
Rather than chase trends or critics’ scores, Vicente’s guiding principle was clear: elegance over power. While much of the world pursued concentration and heavy oak, Murrieta moved toward balance, freshness, and grace. It was a bold move—and one that would take years to bear fruit.
But Murrieta is not about shortcuts. Wines like Castillo Ygay require up to 13 years of patient work before release. Even Dalmau, the estate’s boldest wine, has evolved from modern experimentation into a polished example of power with refinement.
The result? A portfolio of wines that don’t just impress, but endure.
The Wine We Shared: Castillo Ygay 2012
As we sat together in the heart of the estate, Vicente uncorked a special bottle: the 2012 Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial. This wasn’t just a tasting—it was a memory in the making.
A blend of 81% Tempranillo and 19% Mazuelo (Carinena), the wine was fermented in oak, aged separately in American and French barrels for three years, blended with care over months, softened in concrete for another two years, and finally bottle-aged until it spoke with both maturity and vitality.
On the nose: dried flowers, cigar box, wild strawberry, and truffle. On the palate: silky tannins, endless length, fresh acidity. It was a wine that refused to be rushed, and a perfect metaphor for everything Murrieta stands for.
Click here to read our extensive review of the 2012 Castillo Ygay.
We award this flagship wine with a 98-point DWA score.
Marqués de Murrieta Reserva: Where the Story Begins
While Castillo Ygay may be the crown jewel, Vicente is adamant that Marqués de Murrieta Reserva is the cornerstone. Produced in large quantities from estate-grown fruit, it introduces thousands of wine lovers around the world to Rioja, and to Murrieta’s style of elegance and restraint.
“We work the whole year for this wine,” Vicente said. “If it’s not good, people won’t go further. It’s our first impression—and it must be unforgettable.”
And it is.
Building a Global Icon
Marqués de Murrieta isn’t just a Spanish success story, it’s a worldwide benchmark. With distribution in over 100 countries, their wines grace the lists of the world’s best restaurants and luxury hotels. But this wasn’t built through advertising or mass retail. It was built through relationships.
Vicente handpicks family-run importers and builds long-term partnerships rooted in shared values. Many of these partners visit Rioja, walk the vineyards, and experience the soul of the winery firsthand.
“We don’t advertise,” Vicente said. “We invite people. We show them the place, the wines, the philosophy—and then they carry that story home.”
This philosophy extends to the way Murrieta is promoted. It’s not about volume; it’s about positioning. The wines are found where they belong; on the tables of Michelin-starred restaurants, boutique hotels, and private collectors’ cellars.
Casa Murrieta: Bringing Rioja to Madrid
Understanding the importance of presence beyond Rioja, Vicente recently opened Casa Murrieta in the heart of Madrid, a private hospitality space where select guests can experience the world of Murrieta and Pazo de Barrantes without leaving the capital.
Housed in a prime location along the Paseo de la Castellana, Casa Murrieta blends wine, architecture, and storytelling. With tasting rooms, dining salons, and an outdoor terrace, it offers an urban counterpart to the rustic charm of the Rioja estate.
It’s not a wine bar. It’s a destination, a place where the Murrieta story can be told in a different voice, but with the same soul.
Thinking in Centuries, Not Seasons
What truly sets Vicente apart is his long-term vision. Every decision, from replanting vineyards to when a wine is bottled, is made with the next generation in mind.
“When we plant a vine, we won’t see its best fruit for 20 years,” he said. “But we plant it anyway. Because this is not about us.”
The commitment to legacy over immediacy is rare. It’s also what has turned Marqués de Murrieta into one of the most respected wine brands on the planet, not through marketing, but through meaning.
Final Thoughts: A Legacy Still Being Written
In a world that often celebrates speed and visibility, Marqués de Murrieta stands still—proudly, deliberately. Its wines are not rushed, its story not oversold. Instead, every bottle reflects time, care, and purpose.
As Vicente told us, “Wine is more than a drink. It’s history, art, family, and friendship. It’s something that stays with you—long after the glass is empty.”
After visiting the estate, sharing a glass of Castillo Ygay, and hearing this remarkable story firsthand, we couldn’t agree more.
Coming Soon: Grape Masters – Episode 5
Don’t miss our full interview with Vicente Dalmau Cebrián-Sagarriga on Grape Masters. It’s a conversation filled with emotion, insight, and the kind of wisdom you only get from someone who lives for the long game. Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform, and pour yourself a glass of Murrieta while you listen.
For more information on Grape Masters click here.
If you would like to discover the wines of Marqués de Murrieta, and Pazo Barrantes, you can find a selection of reviews by us below:
- 2019 Marqués de Murrieta Reserva
- 2016 Marqués de Murrieta Gran Reserva
- 2021 Gran Vino Pazo Barrantes – Pazo de Barrantes
- 2012 Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial
This article is written by our own Niels Aarts. We would like to thank Marques de Murrieta, in particular Vicente Dalmau Cebrian-Sagarriga and Arthur de Lencquesaing for their time, and Verbunt Verlinden, Dutch distributor of Marqués de Murrieta and Pazo de Barrantes for their support in writing this article.
