Part of the Faustino group, Campillo was arguably the most spectacular winery on view from the ancient walls at the hilltop of Laguardia (Rioja Alavesa), at least until the arrival of Ysios. In 1990 Julio Faustino Martínez fulfilled his dream of building a Riojan château surrounded by vineyards. No expense was spared in its construction: natural stone facade, a portico with semicircular arches, wood and masonry corbels, gothic style stone vaults... The name has a nostalgic twist: it refers to the first family estate.
In their heyday, Campillo wines brougth a breath of fresh air to the Denomination. They offered consistency, structure and were right next to the vineyard. Nowadays, with production reaching 1 million bottles, it brings together tradition and modernity. Its portfolio includes the standard Crianza, Reserva and Gran Reserva trio with other bottlings added at later stages.
As an anecdote, the barrel-fermented white includes a small percentage of Chardonnay (a variety recently permitted in the Denomination) along with locals Viura and Malvasía. Crianza (€10) and Reserva Selecta (€16) are Tempranillo single varietals aged in American oak barrels for 18 and 22 months respectively. Gran Reserva (€26) includes 10% Graciano, is aged in French oak and, like the Reserva Especial, is produced only in the best years and includes a drop of Cabernet.
Campillo's contribution to the frenzy of modernity that hit Rioja at the turn of the century was Finca Cuesta Clara Raro (€33), which is not produced every year and is made from Tempranillo Peludo (a clone with down on the back of the leaf). On the other hand, El Niño de Campillo (€7) joins the fashion for affordable, easy to drink wines forced upon by Spain's recession. Semi-carbonic maceration is used to increase fruit presence and the wine is later aged in oak for seven months, less than what is required for a Crianza.
The winery offers numerous wine tourism activities including tours, tastings, professional events, vineyard walks with picnic included and the possibility of arranging taylor-made and à la carte activities.
