Ukan

Ukan may be a relatively new winery Rioja, but it's from a family with rich traditions in winemaking.

Ukan is a nascent vineyard in the Rioja region of Spain, but the people behind it come from vine-growing families whose roots in the region run deep. The project began in 2018, under the direction of Koldo Eguren, a fifth-generation winemaker whose family is among the most respected in Rioja. He works closely with his cousin Eduardo, and together they are blending the traditions of their family with new approaches they learned during their practices abroad. The Eguren family is known for top-end wineries like Teso La Monja and Sierra Cantabria; and so, suffice it to say, Ukan comes from a line of serious winemaking. The name Ukan comes from Basque and means "what we have"; so, this is a winery that makes great wine from what the land gives them.

The Vineyards

Ukan works with just a few ancient vineyards close to Laguardia, a village in the Rioja Alavesa subregion. These sites are small and unique, including vines planted as long ago as the 1940s. They comprise about 9.5 hectares. while mostly Tempranillo, the main grape of Rioja. These vineyards sit at 500 to 600 meters above sea level, which is higher than most of Rioja. This altitude, combined with the region's cool climate, allows the grapes to ripen slowly and retain their freshness and flavor. Everything is done by hand, from picking the grapes to sorting them, to ensure only the best fruit goes into the wine.

Terroir

Terroir, meaning the land, soil, climate, and everything else that makes a vineyard unique, is what Ukan is all about. The soils here are mostly a mix of silt, clay, and limestone: perfect for Tempranillo. Being high up in the foothills of the Cantabrian Mountains means not only cooler temperatures, but also a much longer growing season compared to other places in Rioja. That helps the grapes develop deep flavors and maintain bright acidity. The Alavesa subregion of Rioja is wetter and cooler than the other parts of the overall region. That also aids in what you find in Ukan wines. farming is done with an emphasis on sustainability and organics.

Way of Winemaking

Ukan follows a style that blends old and new. They draw inspiration from Bordeaux, crafting one principal wine (the 'Grand Vin') and a second wine, 'Senderos de Ukan.' Winemaking is careful and hands-on. The grapes are mostly destemmed by hand, with whole clusters left in for extra character. Fermentation is done in small French oak vats, and the wine is aged for 16 to 18 months in French oak barrels. They employ sustainable and organic methods with virtually no intervention, meaning the wine develops naturally, without lots of additives or heavy filtering. The result? A wine that is rich and fresh, showing off the unique character of its place of origin.

3 fun facts

- The ancient vines used by Ukan were set in the ground between 1940 and 1966, making them some of the most venerable in the region.

- The first bottling by Ukan in the year 2018 was awarded an astonishing 95-point score by elite wine critics; one must remember this is the same year they first opened.

- Ukan gets its name from a Basque word meaning "what we have," and the winemakers seem most focused on making the best possible product from the land and grapes they already possess.