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 / 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: 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.