Back in 1993, ARAEX Rioja Alavesa led by Javier Galarreta; brought together a group of winegrowers from Rioja Alavesa and later other important Spanish regions to join forces and market wines internationally.
In 2001, the firm achieved two major milestones: on one hand it was named Spain’s best export company by The Ministry of Agriculture; secondly, its founders decided to create a twin organisation in order to incorporate other designations of origin and thus Spanish Fine Wines was established.
The firm continued making progress and in 2013, twenty years after it all began, we created The Grand Wines Premium, a division of the firm focused on innovation. The Grand Wines Premium also gives the opportunity to grow new product lines, such as Villa Conchi Cava, Gran Sello “Vino de la Tierra” wines and the international premium wine brand Rolland Galarreta.
Today, branded as ARAEX Grands Spanish Fine Wines, the firm is an exporter, grower and brand owner of internationally acclaimed Spanish wines now present in more than 70 countries. Araex is the leading group of independent Spanish winegrowers, with a sales volume of more than 11 million bottles in the international market.
This year marks its 25 year anniversary, where the Araex Grands team will celebrate a quarter of a century of dedication and a tremendous effort, and continue to improve and professionalize their leading export and production firm of Spanish premium wines.
To celebrate the milestone in the company’s history, a gala event took place with a wine tasting menu – titled Raw & Ripe – curated wine list by Jose Peñin & David Schwarzwaelder.
During this special tasting, many of the singular wines released by Araex Grands’ partner winegrowers were presented, which highlight the characteristics and contributed in no small part to the redefinition of Rioja Alavesa: Wines like Altos de Rioja Pigeage, Amaren Tempranillo Reserva, Baigorri de Garage, Lar de Paula Merus 4, Luis Cañas Reserva de la Familia, Manual Quintano and R&G Esencia have shown what winegrowers in Rioja Alavesa are capable of creating from the oldest vines rooted in poor soils in small plots on sloping terraces. These are the ‘Ripe’ wines that have helped turned the world’s focus to the north bank of the Ebro River and have made Araex Grands, the leading Spanish group of independent winegrowers.
The wine tasting list included the following highlights:
- Manuel Quintana Reserva – “Finca El Mirador” 2016, Labastida & Manuel Quintana Reserva 2014 vs. 2004
- Altor R Pigeage “Finca Morales” Graciano 2017, Laguardia & Altos R Pigeage Tempranillo 2014 vs. 2009
- Luis Cañas “El Palacio” 2017, Villabuena & Luis Cañas reserva selección de la familia 2014 vs. 2005
- Amaren “Viña Chelus” 2017, Samaniego & Amaren Reserva 2010 vs. 2005
- Lar de Paula “Huerta Nueva” Garnacha 2014, Elvillar & Lar de Paula Merus·4 2012 vs. 2004
- Baigorri “Finca Quintanilla” 2016, Samaniego & Baygorria de Garage 2014 vs. 2005
- Rolland & Galarreta “Virtus” 2016, Samaniego & Rolland & Galarreta Esencia 2015 vs. 2012
Find out more about Araex Grands here | araex.com