VINALIA
March 2026 Release
SIERRA DE TOLOÑO
Sandra Bravo is a dynamic winemaker who owns and runs Sierra de Toloño, a boutique winery in Villabuena de Alava in Rioja Alavesa. Sandra gained experience in Bordeaux, Tuscany, New Zealand, California and finally seven years in Priorat before moving back to Rioja establishing Sierra de Toloño in 2012. She is recognized by many wine critics to be among the top of the new wave of Rioja winemakers. Sandra farms around 10 hectares (split up over 27 plots) of high-altitude (up to 700 metres) vineyards. Her production is certified organic or biodynamic, and the varied soils include calcareous clay, sandstone and limestone (known locally as lastra). Her viticulture is manual, and she practices low-intervention viniculture with the use of neutral vessels and terracotta amphorae for aging to allow the wines to express their purity.
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SIERRA DE TOLOÑO
2024 NAHIKUN
“It will keep you guessing.”
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The Nahikun is made from a field blend of five tiny plots with a diversity of soils, planted at around 550 metres, including calcareous clay, marl and limestone. The latter gives this wine its nervy minerality. The vines are around 80 years old with remarkably low yields.
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REGION: Rioja Alavesa, Spain.
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VARIETIES: Viura, Malvasia, Calagraño, and Rojal.
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WINEMAKING: The wine is fermented using ambient yeasts and then aged in used oak barriques (225 litres) for 8 months. Around 2000 bottles are produced annually.
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TASTING NOTE: Straw-coloured with aromas and flavours of apples and pears, white flowers, almonds, and hay. This neutral, yet lively wine has a medium body and round texture— perfect for a variety of dishes.
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PAIRING: Aged cheeses, hazelnut and brown-butter pappardelle, and herbed chicken with roasted potatoes. Drink now, but will develop nicely with 3-5 years of bottle age.
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SIERRA DE TOLOÑO
2023 LA DULA
“Silky and bright.”
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La Dula is a high-altitude village wine and is the ultimate expression of the purity of Sandra’s wines. The fruit comes from 80+ year old plots at around 650 metres on marl, limestone, clay and stony sandstone (known locally as cascajo).
REGION: Rioja Alavesa, Spain.
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VARIETY: Garnacha, Garnacha Gris.
WINEMAKING: Alcoholic fermentation takes place in small oak foudres at low temperatures. The wine is then aged in 300 litre amphoras, making the wine expressive and pure. It is unfined and unfiltered. Around 8,000 bottles are produced annually.
TASTING NOTE: A beautiful ruby colour, with notes of bright red fruit; cherries, cranberries, strawberries and some floral notes. A sweet vanilla note blended with a slate-like minerality. Soft, silky tannins, medium body and fresh acidity.
PAIRING: Spanish cheeses, like Manchego. Slow-braised white bean stews, roasted pork-belly with a red wine reduction sauce. Drink now, or keep for another 3-5 years.
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SIERRA DE TOLOÑO
2024 TERESEÑO
“A wine worth holding onto.”
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Tereseño sits at the pinnacle of Sandra’s portfolio. It is a single vineyard wine made 100% from Garnacha vines planted in 1944 at an altitude of 650 metres. The soil is lastra and is up to 1.5 metres deep. The northerly winds from the Sierra de Toloño mountain range give a remarkable freshness to this wine.
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REGION: Rioja Alavesa, Spain.
VARIETY: 100% Garnacha.
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WINEMAKING: The wine is both fermented and aged in 300 litre amphorae, with minimal intervention. This fine wine is produced in very small quantities (only 800 bottles annually) and we are delighted to introduce it to Vinalia members!
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TASTING NOTE: Perfumed aromas of cranberries, red currants, roses and violets. Plush tannins coat the palate with dried herbs and savoury earth notes coming through. A complex full-bodied wine that requires time to open up.
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PAIRING: Fig and prosciutto with balsamic glaze on toasted sourdough, coq au vin, or roasted lamb. Age for 5-7 years.​​​