Álvaro Palacios

Wine experts and enthusiasts often praise Álvaro Palacios (Alfaro, La Rioja, 1964) for his vision, audacity, and encyclopedic knowledge of viticulture. Palacios embodies a philosophy that goes beyond technical winemaking to embrace the land’s essence. His journey spans three iconic wine regions—Rioja, Priorat, and Bierzo—forming what he calls his “vital triangle.”

Palacios views wine as an intimate dialogue with the land. He meticulously studies each terroir, listening to its “mineral murmur” and translating it into wines of profound character. At the family bodega in Alfaro (Rioja), his vines yield wines like “Plácet,” a Viura that elevates white wine’s potential, and “La Montesa,” a red Crianza showcasing native varieties such as Tempranillo and Garnacha. These wines are crafted at the foot of Mount Yerga, where Palacios works to revive the tradition of “village wines” or “vin de village,” blending heritage with innovation.

A key player in Priorat

In Priorat’s Gratallops, where he settled in the late 1980s, Palacios has been a key figure in the appellation’s revival. His celebrated labels, including “Les Terrasses,” “Finca Dofí,” and “L’Ermita,” epitomize Priorat’s rugged terroir. These wines are widely acclaimed, with “L’Ermita” 2005 earning 98 points from The Wine Advocate. Priorat’s steep vineyards, where Garnacha and Cariñena thrive, have become synonymous with Palacios’ visionary winemaking, placing the region on the global wine map.

In Bierzo, alongside his nephew Ricardo Pérez, Palacios established Descendientes de J. Palacios to honor his father and grandfather. Their wines—including “Pétalos del Bierzo,” “Corullón,” and the iconic “La Faraona”—celebrate the Mencía grape and the region’s steep, ancient vineyards. Bierzo’s challenging terrain and its thousand-year-old vines have inspired Palacios to craft wines that respect ancestral viticulture and showcase the region’s unique identity.

A self-described “farmer,” Palacios is deeply committed to native varieties and traditional practices. While acknowledging the role of technology in producing mid-market wines, he asserts that truly great wines require a return to historical methods and intimate terroir knowledge. “The best wines,” he says, “are born from the legacy of our ancestors.” This philosophy drives his meticulous care of the vines, from cultivation to harvest, ensuring every bottle reflects the land’s authenticity.

Palacios’ dedication has earned him widespread acclaim. Named best oenologist and viticulturist multiple times in Spain, he also received the ArtVinum award from the Grand Jury Européen in 2008 and is a member of the Noble Order of Wine Knights. Over the years, he has been recognized as one of Spain’s most influential winemakers, celebrated for his ability to craft wines that resonate with both tradition and innovation. Through his creations, Álvaro Palacios has become a global ambassador for Spanish wine, captivating domestic and international audiences alike with his profound connection to the land and his relentless pursuit of excellence.