The historic winery is located in the Spanish Rioja sub-region Rioja Alta near Logroño. It was founded in 1852 by Peruvian-born Luciano Francisco Ramón Murrieta García Ortiz Lemoine (1822-1911). He is regarded as an important Rioja pioneer, who introduced many new techniques such as ageing in barrique barrels at that time in Spain and exported Rioja wines in bottles for the first time. In 1872 the winery Castillo Ygay was acquired, where today the wines are vinified. The Spanish King Amadeo I (1845-1890) awarded him the title of Marqués de Murrieta for his merits in producing high quality wines from Rioja, but also for his social commitment to improving living conditions for the workers. In 1983, Vicente Cebrián Sagarriga (from the aristocratic Creixell family) took over the winery; today it is run by his son Vicente Dalmau Cebriàn. The oenologist in charge is Maria Vargas.
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The glossary is a monumental achievement and one of the most important contributions to wine knowledge. Of all the encyclopaedias I use on the subject of wine, it is by far the most important. That was the case ten years ago and it hasn't changed since.
Andreas Essl
Autor, Modena