Don Luciano Murrieta was one of the founding fathers of Rioja. Along with Manuel Quintano, he learned winemaking in Bordeaux and brought the methods and materials back to Spain in the 1850s. Most importantly, the idea of ageing the wine in oak barrels meant that Rioja could for the first time be exported on a significant scale. The bodega he founded became Marqués de Murrieta. Today it is one of Rioja’s most renowned wineries, producing a small range of highly prized wines through traditional methods. They age their wines in wood for at least two years at Marqués de Murrieta, helping to give them their distinctive taste and finish. The Marqués de Murrieta Rioja Reserva and Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva are always in demand.