Located in Elciego, in the heart of Rioja Alavesa, El Gallo is the plot that lies at the centre of the Murua's terroir-focused project.
The 24-hectare plot rises to 540 metres of altitude, in the highest part of the village. Vines are planted on a vast elevation overlooking the Ebro valley. Tempranillo is the dominant variety except for a small Viura parcel found in the centre of the property.
Marqués de Elciego Edición Limitada (€35 in Spain) comes from grapes picked at El Caracol, a plot with 40-year old bush vines planted on clay-calcareous soils -similar to the rest of the plot- but with abundant rolling stones covering the surface. Aging takes place in French oak. The wine's balsamic character is a good reflection of the vines' altitude.
Bodegas Muriel, Bodegas Eguía and Marqués de Elciego together produce in excess of 12 million bottles. The group also includes a table wines division and Real Compañía de Vinos, within the Vino de la Tierra category. The group has recently purchased the winery buildings, stocks, cellars and Conde de los Andes brand from Paternina. The historical cellar, based in Ollauri, houses some legendary Rioja vintages.
