Sierra de Toloño - Sandra Bravo

Nestled high in the rugged foothills of the Sierra de Toloño in Rioja Alavesa, Sandra Bravo farms some of the region’s oldest and highest vineyards, where gnarled bush vines of Garnacha, Tempranillo, Viura, and small parcels of Graciano cling to windswept slopes. Here, at elevations reaching 650 meters and beyond, cool northern winds sweep through the vines, preserving freshness and carrying the scents of wild Mediterranean herbs. Beneath the surface lie calcareous clays formed from the slow erosion of the Sierra de Toloño mountains, along with distinctive laminated rock—lastra—that defines the soils of Rioja Alavesa. From this dramatic landscape, Bravo crafts wines that are vibrant, mineral, and unmistakably alive.

Working from her small cellar in Villabuena de Álava, she vinifies with a light, intuitive touch, using stainless steel, neutral oak, and carefully sourced clay amphorae. For Bravo, amphorae offer the ideal slow oxygenation—allowing Garnacha in particular to breathe gently and reveal its aromatic purity. Fruit comes from a mosaic of tiny plots scattered across the mountainside, each contributing its own nuance to a collection of nine cuvées produced each year.

Bravo’s connection to wine runs deep. Her family made wine at home, and she grew up surrounded by the rhythms of vineyard life. After studying engineering and enology in Rioja, she broadened her perspective with experience in wineries across Bordeaux, Tuscany, New Zealand, and California. Yet it was the seven years she spent in Priorat that profoundly shaped her philosophy. Once the poorest region in Catalonia and now among its most celebrated, Priorat taught her the value of artisanal winemaking and the central truth that great wine begins in the vineyard.

When Bravo returned to Rioja in 2012, she started her project from scratch—renting small plots at first and slowly piecing together her holdings, vineyard by vineyard. Today she farms around ten hectares, including precious centenarian vines that represent the living patrimony of the region. Many of these vineyards had been abandoned, and finding them required patience and persistence—tracking down owners, researching forgotten parcels, and reviving old vines. In the process she has become something of a vineyard detective, uncovering hidden pieces of Rioja’s viticultural heritage.

Her first vineyard was in Rivas de Tereso, perched at about 650 meters above sea level. High altitude brings lower humidity and healthier vines, naturally limiting disease pressure while encouraging slow, balanced ripening. Here Atlantic and Mediterranean influences meet, shaping wines of tension and brightness. Bravo often describes Rioja Garnacha as “Atlantic Garnacha”—distinct from the continental style of Gredos or the sun-drenched Mediterranean Garnatxa of Priorat—defined by freshness, finesse, and mineral clarity.

The vineyards are farmed biodynamically and are Demeter certified, with cover crops and biodiversity encouraged throughout the landscape. Bravo works closely with nature: vines are bush-trained, roots dig deep into living soils, and the canopy is managed to provide shade that protects grapes from excessive heat. Much of the work is done manually—often with backpack sprayers—and family members help plant vines and tend the land. Animals move through the vineyards, and the knowledge of the region’s “old guard” growers remains an invaluable guide.

History runs deep in these hills. Monks once lived in the surrounding sierras, cultivating vineyards below and fermenting their wines in ancient stone lagares. Bravo sees herself as continuing this legacy—recovering forgotten vineyards and reconnecting Rioja with its mountain origins.

Though she already produces a diverse range of wines, Bravo is increasingly drawn to the future. She hopes to expand her work with white wines made from native varieties such as Rojal, Calagraño, and Malvasía, continuing her exploration of Rioja’s hidden genetic heritage. New wines are also on the horizon, including the forthcoming Nahikun red and white.

For Sandra Bravo, the vineyards are far more than land. They are living companions—deeply rooted in history and place. She often says she will never sell them. They are, quite simply, part of her.