When Max, our manager from Beach House and School House, and Katie from our new fourth restaurant Hooked on the Rocks, set off from Bristol to Bilbao, they were in for a unforgettable journey to some of Northern Spain’s vineyards, all in partnership with Wanderlust Wine. This wasn’t just about wine-tasting; it was about truly understanding the craft, stories, and families behind some remarkable wines we’re excited to bring to our restaurants.
The idea was simple: to get to know the producers on a deeper level—their wines, vineyards, winemaking techniques, and rich history—so we can share these stories with our guests back home. Wanderlust Wine, founded by Richard Ellison, is all about discovering lesser-known winemakers and sustainable producers around the world. For Max and Katie, this was a perfect chance to connect with the people behind the wines, creating a more meaningful experience to bring back to our four restaurants.
Their main hosts were Vinícola Real and Panoramico, a father-and-son duo: Miguel-Ángel at Vinícola Real and his son Danny, who recently launched Panoramico. Vinícola Real has a rich history rooted in tradition; built on an old monastery, it even houses ancient transcripts detailing the first pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela. The winery is certified organic, with wines that are earthy, complex, and steeped in tradition. Meanwhile, Panoramico offers a fresher, more modern approach, focusing on single-plot wines that highlight the unique character of each vineyard.
Danny and Jessica, their hosts, led Max and Katie on a vineyard tour, tasting, and lunch in Vinícola’s cellar before they stayed in the family-owned hotel. You can already find some of these wines on our menus: Harbour House offers Vinícola Real’s Organic Tempranillo by the glass and Panoramico Old Vine Viura by the bottle. Hooked on the Rocks also features Panoramico Old Vine Viura, a true standout.
After visiting the vineyards, they enjoyed a pintxos tour on Calle del Laurel in Logroño—a lively food scene where Danny and Miguel-Ángel own a bar. Katie even jumped behind the bar for a bit! They savoured traditional small plates, plenty of wine, and a lot of laughs.
To cap it all off, they made their way east to the Baja Oriental subregion of Rioja to meet Carlos Mazo, an innovative winemaker at Vinos en Voz Baja. It was an exciting opportunity, all about discovering the unique wines of small, passionate Rioja producers, with styles that span from the traditional depth of Vinícola Real to the ultra-modern flair of Vinos en Voz Baja. Carlos took them on a bumpy off-road tour of his high-altitude vineyards, where they experienced a different, alpine side of Rioja. The day wrapped up with a mouthwatering lunch in Carlos’s tasting room, complete with his mother’s homemade croquettes, Spanish hams, cheeses, and—of course—a generous pour of his wines.
This journey has us buzzing with excitement to share these unique finds with you. Each bottle is a glimpse into the lives and passions of the winemakers, and we can’t wait for you to experience them too.
Whilst you are here, why not explore the wine lists at Harbour House, Beach House, School House and Hooked On The Rocks.
