Nestled in the village of Elvillar in Rioja Alavesa, Spain, Bodegas Bhilar is a family-owned winery led by David Sampedro Gil and Melanie Hickman. Deeply rooted in the region's winemaking heritage, the estate is dedicated to producing authentic wines that reflect the character of their vineyards through organic farming and minimal intervention.
The winery farms old-vine parcels planted on limestone-rich soils, cultivating both indigenous grape varieties—including Tempranillo, Garnacha, Graciano, Viura, and Garnacha Blanca—and carefully selected international varieties. Biodiversity is at the heart of the estate, with vineyards managed organically and many practices inspired by biodynamic principles to promote healthy soils and balanced vines.
In the cellar, Bodegas Bhilar follows a gentle, low-intervention approach. Grapes are hand-harvested, fermented with native yeasts, and handled with minimal extraction to preserve freshness and site expression. Ageing takes place in a thoughtful combination of concrete, large oak casks, amphorae, and neutral barrels, depending on the style of each wine.
Recognised as one of Rioja's leading voices in sustainable viticulture, Bodegas Bhilar crafts wines that combine elegance, purity, and a profound sense of place. Their commitment to regenerative farming and terroir-driven winemaking has earned the winery international acclaim while showcasing a fresh, contemporary expression of Rioja.
Type: Rosé Wine (Organic / Biodynamic / Minimal Intervention)
Region: Navarra, Spain
Grapes: 100% Garnacha (Grenache)
Alcohol ABV: 13.5%
Tasting Profile and Key Notes
Aroma:
Delicately perfumed with aromas of wild strawberry, raspberry, cranberry, and ripe melon, lifted by rose petals and subtle white flowers. Gentle smoky notes and crushed stone minerality add depth and complexity, giving the wine an elegant rather than overtly fruity profile.
Palate:
Dry, fresh, and beautifully textured with vibrant acidity. Flavours of strawberry, pomegranate, redcurrant, and watermelon are complemented by a subtle saline edge and chalky minerality. The palate has surprising depth and persistence, finishing long, clean, and refreshing with delicate herbal nuances.
Winemaking
The grapes come from old Garnacha bush vines planted at around 700 metres above sea level in San Martín de Unx, Navarra. After a short period of skin contact to achieve its pale salmon colour, the wine is gently pressed and fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel with indigenous yeasts. It is produced with minimal intervention to preserve the purity of the fruit and vineyard expression.
Farming
Bodegas Bhilar farms according to organic and biodynamic principles, encouraging biodiversity and healthy soils without synthetic herbicides or pesticides. The old Garnacha vines grow on limestone-rich soils, while the combination of altitude and Atlantic influence helps preserve freshness, aromatic lift, and mineral precision.
Type: Red Wine (Organic / Biodynamic / Minimal Intervention / Village Rioja)
Region: Rioja Alavesa (DOCa Rioja), Spain
Grapes: 85% Tempranillo, 10% Garnacha, 5% Viura
Alcohol ABV: 14.5%
Tasting Profile and Key Notes
Aroma:
An expressive and elegant Rioja with aromas of ripe cherry, blackberry, plum, and wild berries. Floral notes of violet and dried flowers are layered with Mediterranean herbs, liquorice, tobacco, and subtle earthy tones. The combination of Tempranillo, Garnacha, and Viura gives the wine both depth and freshness, with a lifted aromatic profile.
Palate:
Medium to full-bodied with polished tannins and vibrant acidity. The palate shows flavours of black cherry, red plum, blackberry, and cranberry, balanced by savoury notes of herbs, spice, graphite, and gentle earthiness. The texture is refined, with integrated oak adding complexity without overpowering the fruit.
Winemaking
The grapes are sourced from organically and biodynamically farmed vineyards around Elvillar, Rioja Alavesa. Fermentation is carried out with indigenous yeasts, using gentle extraction to preserve freshness and the character of the vineyard. The wine is matured in a combination of concrete tanks and oak vessels, allowing the fruit, tannin, and mineral character to integrate naturally.
Farming
Bodegas Bhilar follows organic and biodynamic farming practices, focusing on biodiversity, healthy soils, and minimal intervention. The vineyards around Elvillar are planted on limestone-rich clay, sandy, and silty soils, with high-altitude conditions providing cool nights that preserve acidity and aromatic freshness. The estate also uses traditional methods such as horse ploughing to maintain a closer connection with the land.
Type: White Wine (Organic / Biodynamic / Minimal Intervention)
Region: Navarra, Spain
Grapes: 100% Garnacha Blanca
Alcohol ABV: 13%
Tasting Profile and Key Notes
Aroma:
Fresh and vibrant with aromas of lemon zest, lime, green apple, pear, and white peach. As the wine opens, delicate notes of white flowers, fresh mint, Mediterranean herbs, and wet stone emerge, giving the wine an elegant, mineral-driven profile rather than an overtly fruity one.
Palate:
Dry, crisp, and beautifully balanced with lively acidity. Flavours of green apple, citrus, white peach, and pear are complemented by subtle herbal notes and a chalky, saline minerality. A short period of lees ageing adds a gentle creaminess without sacrificing freshness, leading to a clean, persistent finish.
Winemaking
The 100% Garnacha Blanca grapes come from old vines in San Martín de Unx, Navarra, planted on limestone-rich soils at around 700 metres elevation. After a 12-hour cold soak, the grapes are gently pressed and fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks. The wine is then aged for three months on its fine lees, enhancing texture while preserving purity and freshness.
Farming
Bodegas Bhilar farms according to organic and biodynamic principles, promoting biodiversity and healthy soils without synthetic herbicides or pesticides. The combination of high-altitude vineyards, Atlantic influence, and limestone soilshelps produce Garnacha Blanca with remarkable freshness, aromatic lift, and mineral precision.
Type: White Wine (Organic / Biodynamic / Minimal Intervention / Skin Contact)
Region: Rioja Alavesa (DOCa Rioja), Spain
Grapes: 90% Viura, 10% Garnacha Blanca
Alcohol ABV: 12.5–14%
Tasting Profile and Key Notes
Aroma:
A complex and expressive Rioja white with aromas of lemon zest, orange peel, green apple, ripe pear, and white peach. Subtle notes of chamomile, dried herbs, almond skin, and wet limestone add depth. The Viura provides freshness and citrus character, while Garnacha Blanca contributes richness, texture, and a gentle Mediterranean warmth.
Palate:
Dry, medium to full-bodied with excellent acidity and a textured mouthfeel. Flavours of citrus, yellow apple, pear, and stone fruit are layered with saline minerality, orange peel, and subtle herbal notes. A slight tannic grip from skin contact gives structure, while the finish remains fresh, mineral, and persistent.
Winemaking
The grapes are hand-harvested and fermented naturally with indigenous yeasts. After a short period of cold maceration on skins, the wine continues fermentation before being aged in a combination of old French oak barrels, concrete tanks, and stainless steel. Partial malolactic fermentation adds texture and complexity while preserving the wine’s freshness.
Farming
Bodegas Bhilar farms its vineyards in Elvillar, Rioja Alavesa, following organic and biodynamic principles. The vineyards are planted on limestone-rich, sandy and silty soils, with high-altitude conditions providing cool nights that preserve acidity and freshness. The estate focuses on biodiversity, minimal intervention, and expressing the unique character of Rioja’s indigenous varieties.
Type: Red Wine (Organic / Biodynamic / Minimal Intervention / Terroir-Driven Rioja Style)
Region: Rioja Alavesa, Spain (Elvillar, Álava)
Grapes: 100% Tempranillo
Alcohol ABV: 13–14%
Tasting Profile and Key Notes
Aroma:
An expressive and elegant Tempranillo showing aromas of ripe cherry, raspberry, blackberry, and plum. Layers of violet, dried herbs, liquorice, and subtle earthy notes develop with air, alongside hints of leather, tobacco, and crushed stone. The high-altitude Rioja Alavesa terroir gives the wine a fresh, mineral character rather than a heavy, overripe style.
Palate:
Medium to full-bodied with vibrant acidity and refined tannins. The palate delivers flavours of black cherry, red plum, blackberry, and wild berries, balanced by savoury notes of herbs, graphite, spice, and earthy minerality. The texture is elegant and structured, with a long finish showing freshness and complexity rather than strong oak influence.
Winemaking
BHI Cosmos is produced from Tempranillo grown in Elvillar, Rioja Alavesa, and follows Bodegas Bhilar’s low-intervention philosophy. The grapes are fermented naturally with indigenous yeasts, with gentle extraction to preserve freshness and purity. The wine is matured to integrate the tannins while maintaining the expression of the high-altitude vineyard character.
Farming
Bodegas Bhilar is a boutique estate founded by David Sampedro and Melanie Hickman, focusing on organic and biodynamic viticulture. The vineyards around Elvillar are farmed with respect for biodiversity, including the use of horse ploughing and minimal intervention practices. The limestone-rich soils and cooler high-altitude climate of Rioja Alavesa help create wines with freshness, elegance, and strong terroir expression.
Type: White Wine (Organic / Biodynamic / Minimal Intervention)
Region: Rías Baixas DO (Val do Salnés), Galicia, Spain
Grapes: 100% Albariño
Alcohol ABV: 13%
Tasting Profile and Key Notes
Aroma:
A beautifully aromatic Albariño with lifted notes of white peach, lemon zest, lime, green apple, and pear. Delicate aromas of citrus blossom, white flowers, sea spray, and wet granite are complemented by subtle hints of honey and lees-derived pastry notes, creating a wine that is both vibrant and complex.
Palate:
Medium-bodied with bright acidity and a beautifully textured mouthfeel. Flavours of citrus, white peach, green apple, and ripe pear are layered with saline minerality, wet stone, and a subtle creamy richness from extended lees ageing. The finish is long, precise, and distinctly maritime, with a refreshing mineral edge.
Winemaking
Shanela is produced from a single biodynamically farmed vineyard in Val do Salnés, the heart of Rías Baixas. Whole clusters are gently pressed before cold fermentation with indigenous yeasts. The wine spends approximately 12 months on its fine lees, followed by an additional year in stainless steel before bottling with minimal sulphur. This extended maturation gives the wine remarkable texture and complexity while preserving Albariño's freshness. Around 5,000 bottles are produced annually.
Farming
Although best known for Rioja, David Sampedro (Bodegas Bhilar) also farms a small parcel in Val do Salnés, just 5 km from the Atlantic Ocean. The old Albariño vines grow on sandy granite soils with constant Atlantic influence, producing wines with pronounced salinity, freshness, and mineral character. The vineyard is farmed according to organic and biodynamic principles, reflecting Bhilar's philosophy of minimal intervention and respect for nature.
Type: Red Wine (Organic / Biodynamic / Minimal Intervention / Single Variety Rioja)
Region: Rioja Alavesa (DOCa Rioja), Spain
Grapes: 100% Graciano
Alcohol ABV: 13.5%
Tasting Profile and Key Notes
Aroma:
A highly aromatic and distinctive expression of Graciano, showing vibrant notes of blackberry, black cherry, redcurrant, and wild berries. The nose is lifted by floral aromas of violet and lavender, with characteristic Graciano notes of black pepper, dried herbs, and subtle balsamic spice.
Palate:
Medium-bodied, fresh, and elegant with bright acidity and fine tannins. The palate delivers flavours of plum, sour cherry, cranberry, and blackberry, supported by peppery spice, Mediterranean herbs, and a subtle mineral character. Compared with many Rioja reds, this wine feels lighter and more energetic, with a clean, savoury finish rather than heavy oak influence.
Winemaking
Made from 100% Graciano grapes grown in Elvillar, Rioja Alavesa. The grapes are destemmed and fermented with indigenous yeasts in concrete tanks, followed by ageing on fine lees for approximately 6 months. The wine sees no oak ageing, allowing the purity, floral character, spice, and natural freshness of Graciano to shine.
Farming
Bodegas Bhilar farms according to organic and biodynamic principles, focusing on biodiversity and minimal intervention. The Graciano vineyard was planted in Elvillar in 1999, a cooler high-altitude area of Rioja Alavesa where the long ripening cycle of Graciano can develop slowly while maintaining excellent acidity and aromatic intensity.
Type: Red Wine (Natural / Biodynamic / Minimal Intervention / Carbonic Maceration Rioja)
Region: Rioja Alavesa (DOCa Rioja), Spain
Grapes: 85% Tempranillo, 15% Viura
Alcohol ABV: 11.5%
Tasting Profile and Key Notes
Aroma:
Highly aromatic and vibrant, showing fresh red cherry, raspberry, wild strawberry, and cranberry. Floral notes of violet and dried flowers combine with hints of chamomile, herbs, balsamic spice, and a slightly oxidative character that adds complexity.
Palate:
Light to medium-bodied with bright acidity and very soft tannins. The palate delivers juicy red fruit flavours of cherry, raspberry, and plum, balanced by chalky minerality, herbal freshness, and a savoury finish. Despite its lighter body, it has impressive texture and depth.
Winemaking
The grapes come from biodynamically farmed vineyards around Elvillar, Rioja Alavesa. A portion of the grapes are destemmed, while the whole harvest undergoes carbonic maceration, a traditional Rioja technique that enhances fruit purity and floral aromatics. Fermentation takes place naturally with indigenous yeasts, and the wine is bottled without added sulphur, preserving its fresh and expressive character.
Farming
Bodegas Bhilar follows organic and biodynamic farming practices, focusing on biodiversity and minimal intervention. The vineyards around Elvillar are planted on limestone-rich, sandy and silty soils, giving the wines freshness, elegance, and a strong sense of place.