Vignerons de la Sonsierra

José Gil is one of Rioja’s compelling and exciting new voices, building on his family’s deep connection to the land of San Vicente de la Sonsierra, on the left bank of the Ebro river.

Third-generation winemaker José Gil was born and raised in those vineyards, rooted in generations of family grape growing and winemaking. After studying oenology in Logroño, his grandfather Ángel inspired José to dream bigger by carving his own path as a winemaker.  José began acquiring small parcels and experimenting with garage-style winemaking, eventually restoring a calado, a medieval cave cellar carved into the rocky hillside (La Cueva del Espino) and releasing his first wines in 2016.

Together with his partner Vicky Fernández, they now farm around 10 hectares of old vines across San Vicente and nearby villages, working organically and with a focus on site expression. Since 2021, they’ve dedicated themselves fully to their own project, producing wines that reflect the region’s diverse soils and elevations. 

Alongside a tight-knit group of like-minded growers, Gil is part of a new wave reshaping Rioja from the ground up.