Martínez Corta EN

1889

Year of foundation

Winery

Martínez Corta

D.O.C. Rioja

Tempranillo, Garnacha

Milagros Rodrigues

Grape varieties

Winemaker

Appellation of Origin

Owned vineyards

D.O.C. Rioja

The terroir of the D.O.Ca Rioja is unique due to the combination of three climates—Atlantic, Mediterranean, and Continental—which creates ideal conditions for vine cultivation. The soils are diverse, ranging from limestone and clay-limestone to alluvial, poor in organic matter but well-drained, which contributes to low yields and high quality. The average annual precipitation ranges between 300 and 600 mm.

Temperature differences are significant: winters can drop to -10 °C, while summers can reach 35–40 °C. These conditions favor slow and even grape ripening, shaping their vibrant flavor and aroma.

Viñedos

History of the winery

At the end of the 19th century, many settlers from the mountains of Rioja descended into the valley in search of a better life. Catalina Martínez was one of them, leaving her small mountain village to settle in Uruñuela, in the heart of Rioja Alta. With her skills as a butcher, her shop quickly gained fame. Catalina acquired vineyards and, together with her children, began producing wine for personal consumption, eventually expanding the business.

This is how the family winery was born. After four generations, and with the same spirit, the family name adopted the nickname “Corta,” a reference to the original trade. Today, Bodega Martínez Corta blends modernity and tradition, preserving the essence of both the mountains and the valley in its wines—the fruit of the effort and legacy of four generations.

Vineyards

The family’s 80 hectares (198 acres) are located in the exceptional Bajo Najerilla area, near Cenicero, between the Ebro and Najerilla rivers.

The humid atmosphere, combined with specific landscape features, provides unique conditions for the vines, creating a special microclimate characterized by mild winters and warm, dry summers, with significant temperature differences between day and night during grape ripening. Additionally, the south-facing slopes where the vines are planted ensure maximum sun exposure, which, together with moderate annual rainfall, creates ideal conditions for vine cultivation.

The soils are clay-limestone, poor but healthy, perfectly suited for growing vines, resulting in low yields and high-quality grapes. Some of the vineyards are over 100 years old, allowing the wines to express the great personality and character of the Rioja Alta region.