Bodegas Muriel was founded in 1982, when Julian Murua Entrena revived his father?s, Jose Murua?s winery (which dates back to 1926) located in the Rioja Alavesa one of the three subregions of the Rioja appellation. The cellars are in the historic village of Elciego, surrounded by some of the finest terroir in Rioja. Julian and his son combine traditional and modern winemaking techniques to coax the best out of their vines. The grapes are harvested from vines that are on average 30-50 years old from vineyards planted in Rioja Alavesa and Rioja Alta on chalk, sand and clay soil. The macroclimate of the region, influenced by the Mediterranean, Continental and Atlantic, helps the vines produce very aromatic and elegant wines. The name Muriel comes from the combination of the family name, Murua, and the name of the town itself, Elciego.