Bodegas Fernández Eguiluz
Pilar and Carmelo are third generation winemakers, their families have been fully dedicated to their vineyards in Ábalos since the XIX century.
Basilio and Baldomero, the grandparents, started to buy vineyards and produced wine, wine vinegar and "arrope" (a grape syrup used to preserve fruits or as a condiment), mainly for their own family consumption.
In 1989 Julián and Mari Carmen, children of Basilio and Baldomero established Bodegas Julián Fernández Garrido. They bought more vineyards, some of which are now between 35 and over 100 years old.
Before building their own winery they produced wine for themselves and for some of the large Rioja producers, such as Muga.
Julián continues to consult and help his daughter, Pilar, and son Carmelo.
After his studies, Carmelo decided to return to the vineyards and continue his family tradition. Pilar worked in textiles for several years after finishing university but in 2004 decided to go back to Ábalos and join her brother and father in the winery.
It was during Pilar's oenology studies in Valencia and Madrid when she met Carlos Sánchez, a wine professional from Madrid who left his life as a teacher to dedicate himself to oenology and viticulture.
In the last seven years they grew the winery from three to ten different wines, made using generations of knowledge. Six different labels of their own and four more in collaboration with Carlos Sánchez.