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A Trio of Spanish Rosados: Our Top Picks
May 20, 2026
There is more to Spanish rosado than Viña Tondonia, and I say that as someone who drinks it every chance I get. Spain is producing a remarkable range of compelling rosados right now, wines that are geologically specific, texturally complex, and far more affordable than the beloved Tondonia. And while I have deep admiration for what Provence does with brightness, delicacy, and precision, Spain operates in an entirely different register: one defined by volcanic minerality, Atlantic salinity, and oxidative depth that gives these wines a sense of place that is impossible to manufacture.Below are three rosados from three distinct corners of Spain, each one a clear and compelling expression of its terroir. And yes, one of them has a rather direct connection to the Tondonia rosado you already love.As always, we are here for any questions you may have at shop@mwcwine.com.
2020 Jose Luis Ripa Saenz de Navarrete, Rioja Ripa Rosado $39.99
Ripa built a long career at Bodegas CVNE before moving to López de Heredia in 2010, where he met and eventually married María José López de Heredia. While his day job is still commercial director at Tondonia, the Ripa label is a personal endeavor. Built with the support of his wife and her family, the project explores a single question: what does an aged Rioja rosado look like when it receives the same patience and seriousness as the region's great reds?Here is why that philosophy matters in the glass. The fruit is sourced from 30-plus-year-old bush vines on a single hectare in the Najerilla Valley of Rioja Alta, where the calcareous clay soils carry a high iron content. After a brief saignée, the wine ferments and ages for 30 months in 500-liter oak barrels. That extended oxidative time threads a savory, depth through the fruit that most rosados never achieve. Wild strawberry and dried orange peel open the nose, followed by notes of quince, dried herbs, and a long finish with distinct yet subtle structural grip.At the table, the elevated iron in the soil and the oxidative barrel aging create a backbone that stands up to rich, savory flavors. It pairs exceptionally well with grilled branzino, aged Manchego, jamón ibérico, or anything off the plancha with a real char on it. With highly limited production, with only 30 cases coming to the US, it is a rare and worthwhile find.
2025 Ameztoi, Getariako Txakolina, Rubentis $26.99
Rubentis is a historic bottle. It was the very first rosé created within the Getariako Txakolina appellation. It exists today only because the Ameztoi family stubbornly kept their old Hondarrabi Beltza vines in the ground during a period when the rest of the region was ripping them out. The core of this blend comes from a parcel planted in 1840, clinging to steep cliffs that look directly out over the Bay of Biscay above the ancient fishing village of Getaria.This coastal location profoundly impacts the wine. Constant Atlantic winds drive acidity up and keep sugar in check, while the salt air integrates directly into the aromatic profile. Fermentation takes place with indigenous yeast in stainless steel. Toward the end of the process, the tanks are sealed to preserve the naturally occurring carbonation—the traditional style of Getaria. This effervescence is never artificially added; it is protected.Pale, electric, and distinctly saline, the Rubentis opens with wild strawberry, red currant, watermelon and citrus zest, carrying a mousse fine enough to read as texture rather than bubble. This is an ideal pairing for briny seafood such as oysters, clams, sea urchin, or a simply dressed crudo. The wine's salinity complements the ocean flavors on the plate perfectly.
2025 Bermejos, Lanzarote, Listan Negro Rosado $33.00
Lanzarote pushes the boundaries of where grapes can actually grow. The island is essentially a lunar landscape blanketed in black volcanic ash, seeing barely any rainfall each year. With fierce winds sweeping in from the Atlantic and the Sahara, traditional farming simply doesn't work here. Instead, growers must hand-dig deep craters—known as hoyos—through the petrified lava crust just to plant a single vine in the fertile soil below. To protect the vines from the gales, each crater is walled off with hand-stacked volcanic stones.Because volcanic basalt is exceptionally porous, water drains immediately. The vines remain under constant stress, resulting in minuscule yields. This geology imparts a darker, smokier minerality to the wine that calcareous clay cannot replicate. Made from 100% Listán Negro, the wine is directly pressed with no maceration. It is pale in color and driven by pomegranate, tart strawberry, orange oil, and mint, with a firm volcanic thread running throughout. Dry, linear, and remarkably saline, it is reminiscent of a nervy Txakolina but with a deeper, earthier foundation.This wine shares the coastal versatility of the Rubentis but can handle heartier dishes. It is an excellent match for salt cod, mojo rojo, or papas arrugadas, where the subtle smokey element in the wine seamlessly complements roasted or charred flavors.
The Wines
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2020 Jose Luis Ripa Saenz de Navarrete, Rioja Ripa Rosado
Regular price $39.99Regular priceUnit price per -
2025 Los Bermejos, Lanzarote, Listan Negro Rosado
Regular price $33.00Regular priceUnit price per
