Anthony Byrne Fine Wines

• Tony
• Wed 23 Apr 2025

Very pleased to welcome Vina Apaltagua to the UK and give them the opportunity to showcase a range of their wines to a selection of our customers.

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• Tony
• Mon 14 Apr 2025

The largest co-operative of vine growers in the village of San Vicente de la Sonsierra in Rioja, Bodegas Sonsierra, has added two new single vineyard wines to its portfolio: Soltierra, the winery’s first single-varietal Garnacha, and Quitasueños, a Tempranillo. The latest expressions will join the winery’s four existing wines that enjoy the distinctive Singular Vineyard classification: El Rincón de los Galos, El Manao, El Muérdago, and Duermealmas.

Produced in the cutting-edge Viñedos de Sonsierra micro-winery, opened in 2017, the premium Viñedos Singulares come from six different old vine parcels in the hills surrounding the San Vicente de la Sonsierra village.

The experimental winery features small tanks, some as small as 500 litres for micro-vinifications, employed by the innovative Intranox Oresteo system for pump-free remontage. This computer-controlled system captures CO2 released during fermentation and redirects it over the cap of grape skins, enabling gentle and manageable extraction while reducing the winery’s carbon footprint. Each wine and vintage undergoes a tailored ageing process to best respect and showcase the unique characteristics of its fruit.

The winery, which was founded in 1961 as the first cooperative in the Rioja denominación de origen calificada (DOCa) region, owns nine parcels recognised as Viñedos Singulares – more than any other winery in the Rioja Alta area and second in the entire DOCa Rioja region. The premium category of singular vineyard wines was established by the DOCa in 2017.

Bodegas Sonsierra also has the opportunity to expand its portfolio in the future by gaining access to more small-plot vineyards. These are hand-harvested and over 60 years old, with some vines exceeding a century. The vineyards vary in altitude, ranging from 400 to nearly 700 meters, and feature different soil types.

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• James
• Thu 27 Mar 2025

Great to be working with the top restaurant teams across their sites in London, who recently met with Luis from Bodegas Sonsierra and are now listing some of their awesome wines.

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• Tony
• Fri 21 Mar 2025

Join Roberto from Vina Apaltagua at the John O'Gaunt Golf Club in Sandy, Bedfordshire to taste a selection of their wines, hosted by Anthony Byrne Fine Wines.

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• James
• Fri 14 Mar 2025

Spring is springing into action so perhaps it's time to start lightening up the wine list with some springtime stars

• Diamarine Rosé Estandon Vignerons
• Mindiarte Rioja Blanco Bodegas Sonsierra
• Gavi di Gavi Fratelli Casetta
• Misty Cove Estate Sauvignon Blanc

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• Tony
• Sat 01 Mar 2025

Continuously looking to review our portfolio, we are pleased to announce that we have recently introduced four new wines to our range from Bodegas Sonsierra, with whom we have been working with since 2010.

• Sonsierra Virua Fermentado en Barrica
• Sonsierra Gran Reserva
• Pagos de la Sonsierra
• Vinedos de Sonsierra Vinedo Viejo

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• Sarah
• Sat 15 Feb 2025

Promotional wine tasting for some of our valued clients

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• James
• Sat 01 Feb 2025

Another busy tasting week highlighting the delicious wines from Bodegas Sonsierra in Rioja Alta

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• James
• Sat 21 Dec 2024

The John O'Gaunt Golf Club is excited to announce another fantastic event! Join them on 21st January 2025 for a Burns Night & Rioja Dinner. Indulge in a delicious three-course Scottish-themed meal, perfectly paired with fine white & red Rioja from Bodegas Sonsierra, supplied by Anthony Byrne Fine Wines.

Just £30 for three courses & two Riojas – an evening not to be missed!

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• Tony
• Wed 04 Dec 2024

Founded in 1962, when 240 grape growers joined forces in the Rioja Alta, Bodegas Sonsierra has considerable expertise and a reputation in its homeland maintained over generations. However, the winery is increasingly looking beyond Spain. Through a combination of personnel changes, winery upgrades and new regulations from Rioja DOCa, Bodegas Sonsierra is developing its international ambitions.

Its most direct work in raising its export profile has been in making strategic hires. Luis del Aguila joined as CEO in 2023. He brought a background of sales in the US, as well as 12 years of experience as export manager at La Rioja Alta SA. Pilar Lorenzo later joined Bodegas Sonsierra, aiding it in hitting new markets as export manager.

Moreover, Bodegas Sonsierra is collaborating with agencies and consultancies in key target markets. Those on-the-ground partners are leveraging their country-specific knowledge to spread the word.

Although Bodegas Sonsierra has decades of experience, its wines are also benefitting from a recent revamp. In 2017, it opened a cutting-edge winery, connected by a tunnel to the historic property.

The new facilities combine small fermentation vessels – sometimes just 500 litres – and innovative technology. This includes a pump-free remontage system that recycles carbon dioxide from fermentation. With such precise, boutique winemaking, the winery has become the centre for small-batch production: the Viñedos de Sonsierra range.

These bottlings include small batches made from high elevation and old vine plots around the town of San Vicente de la Sonsierra. The range also features Perfume de Sonsierra, an old vine label in a bottle created by the late fashion designer David Delfin.

Of particular note in the collection are the four Viñedos Singulares. Since 2017, Rioja DOCa has allowed these single-vineyard bottlings. With access to nine such designated plots, Bodegas Sonsierra has the most of any producer in the Rioja Alta area.

Both the vineyards and wines must meet stringent criteria. The vines must be at least 35 years old from a vineyard selected by the Consejo Regulador for its quality. The wines, meanwhile, must use hand-harvested grapes, be made in a single winery and pass a tasting panel. The new winery is therefore ideal for meeting such exacting standards – as well as for capitalising on interest in the new premium category.

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