Murua Winery, part of Masaveu Wineries, is making a strong commitment to the conversion of its vineyards to organic farming in line with its sustainable philosophy. This Rioja Alavesa winery has been practicing organic cultivation since 2015 and currently has 41 hectares of vineyard registered as organic, which represents just over 50% of its total vineyard area. It aims to reach 100% organic vineyards by 2026.
Each year, Murua Winery converts different vineyard plots to this production system. This shift towards organic farming aligns with the sustainable philosophy that defines the entire wine group, which is committed to organic viticulture. The winery is adapting its practices to sustainable systems that preserve soil quality through the use of non-chemical plant protection products, promote biodiversity, enhance water management, protect air quality, facilitate better energy management, and mitigate and adapt to the effects of climate change.
En total, Bodega Murua posee 80 hectáreas de viñedo en propiedad, repartidas en 51 parcelas en Elciego y localidades cercanas como Laguardia, Villabuena de Álava, Lanciego, Leza o Navaridas. 44 of those hectares are divided into very small plots, some as small as 0.2 hectares. the smallest one, with 3.35 hectares. the largest one. In the winery, the diversity of vineyard areas requires complex oenological work, involving tasting and treating each zone separately, with continuous monitoring of the vines and grapes’ development, as well as specific care and control in each plot for every variety. Some of the century-old plots with very narrow planting frames are currently worked with horses, as mechanical cultivation is impossible due to the plots being virtually inaccessible.
Aware of the investment and time required for certain manual practices, Murua is committed to delivering and ensuring the highest quality in its productions through meticulous precision in its vineyard work.
Permaculture: plant cover and natural pest control.
In this context of sustainability, Murua Winery chooses to maintain a vegetal cover, either partial or permanent, promoting the biological activity of the soils and their natural balance, avoiding all types of herbicides that destroy and alter the ecosystems of the soil and subsoil, while also contaminating underground water sources.
The winery strives to work in alignment with “permaculture,” a method based on observing the patterns and characteristics of the natural ecosystem in order to apply and adapt it to vine cultivation, protecting the environment and responding to the various challenges posed by climate change.
Additionally, Murua employs a natural approach to pest and disease control, a biological balance system that focuses on protecting and supporting the breeding of beneficial species. This helps the crops while also contributing to the improvement of the vineyard ecosystem, the winery’s surroundings, and the aesthetic value of the landscape. The goal is to enhance biodiversity by naturally reducing pest pressure from parasites, promoting the presence of beneficial insects, maintaining productive capacity, limiting fungal diseases, and boosting the longevity of the crops and the quality of the raw material.
All these measures allow the winery to maintain detailed daily care of its own vineyards and demonstrate a deep commitment to sustainability, respecting the natural course of the vineyard.
Use of New Technologies
In its continuous search for productive efficiency and improved vineyard health control, with the aim of producing high-quality products using fewer resources while preserving the environment, Murua Winery also relies on new technologies to maintain thorough control of the vineyards and ensure proper forecasting.
Thanks to the three weather stations located in different vineyard plots, the winery is able to make quick and accurate decisions, anticipating potential future climate adversities. Additionally, the optical vision selection table allows for the homogeneous and precise selection of the best quality grapes; the use of drones provides detailed information about the vines, such as plant vigor, cover crops, and grape yield; and the remote control of temperatures and humidity inside the winery ensures optimal conditions for wine production.
In recent years, Murua has been able to produce wines that express the essence of the terroir, showcasing its personality, thanks to all these techniques.
About Murua Winery
Bodegas Murua, part of Masaveu Bodegas, is located in the beautiful town of Elciego, in the very heart of Rioja Alavesa. In a setting of stunning landscapes, the noble main building preserves the structure of the manor houses typical of this area of Rioja Alavesa.
The winery has belonged to the Masaveu family since 1974, when it was acquired to produce wine privately until, years later, the family decided to renovate it and promote it commercially with a strong commitment to quality.
Currently, Murua produces 220,000 bottles crafted with the ecological philosophy and respect for the land that defines the winery group, which is present in various Denominations of Origin across the country: Murua (DOCa Rioja), Fillaboa (DO Rías Baixas), Pagos de Araiz (DO Navarra), Leda (Vino de la Tierra de Castilla y León), and the ice cider Valverán (Asturias).
