Meet the Maker - Rosana Lisa (Winemaker and Director of Innovation) / Ramon Bilbao / Spain

Ramon Bilbao is a producer that is synonymous with Rioja. Since the mid 1800’s they have been central to the growth of the region and are at the vanguard of producing high quality Rioja at scale. If you ever want a faithful expression of what classic Rioja tastes like, then this producer is always a sure bet! Being firmly rooted in the culture and tradition of a particular region can only be a good thing, however in the wine game it is important to evolve and keep on top of trends. Innovation and creativity always needs to be a priority for such a prolific producer! We saw this in the Bilbao portfolio when we stumbled across their 'Lalomba' Rosé 2020, part of a new single vineyard range of wines that focuses entirely on the use of concrete eggs for both the fermentation and ageing of their wines. Central to this project is Rosana Lisa, Winemaker and Director of Innovation at Ramon Bilbao, here’s what she had to say when we caught up with her...

Why did you decide to get into winemaking?

I have always been very connected to wine.  My grandfather had his own little vineyard, and so harvest time was always a very special event for my family.  I loved crushing grapes, and tasting the harvest flavours.

Do you have a favourite wine or wine region outside of your own?

I’m a wine lover so I love lots of different styles!  My favourites though are probably a Syrah from the Northern Rhône, Tempranillo from Ribera del Duero, Riesling from Clare Valley and Albariño from Rias Baixas.

What grape do you like working with the most and why?

I love Garnacha!  It’s so elegant, its flavour profile is lovely and the palate is just so juicy!  And an important thing with Garnacha is that as a variety it is very well adapted to climate change: it’s quite a rustic grape variety which has a long ripening cycle and needs a low level of water to achieve perfect ripeness.

Celebrity Crush?

I don’t have a celebrity crush as such… I would say, my best vines in Lalomba 😊

Favourite Movie?

The Godfather Trilogy.

Favourite type of music/artist?

I love music!  I played clarinet some years ago and I really enjoy the music.  I love classical music when I’m at the winery, or pop or Latin during my free time.  My favourite artists are Marc Anthony, Coldplay and a Spanish artist called Joaquín Sabina.

Fun fact about you that has nothing to do with wine?

I love dancing, read books and I love spending time with my family.

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