Bodegas Faustino

Awards & Recognition

Faustino I Gran Reserva: Best-selling Rioja Gran Reserva globally; a top-10 most searched Spanish wine
Gran Faustino I 2004: 96 points, Wine Enthusiast Editor’s Choice
Group listed #15 among “World’s Most Admired Wine Brands 2024” by Drinks International
Decanter’s Best Wine in the World 2013 for Faustino I 2001; multiple James Suckling 94 pt scores

About Bodegas Faustino

Bodegas Faustino, founded in 1861 by Eleuterio Martínez Arzok in Oyón, Rioja Alavesa, is a five-generation family-run estate that has become synonymous with Rioja Gran Reserva excellence and global reach, distributing to over 140 countries.

Located on roughly 650 ha across Rioja Alavesa (Oyón, Laguardia, Mendavia), vineyards boast Tempranillo-dominant plantings on clay-limestone soils, complemented by Mazuelo, Graciano, and Viura. The estate blends tradition—extended aging in American and French oak—with cutting-edge sustainability and architecture, exemplified by its recent “Legado Bodegas Faustino” visitor centre designed by Foster + Partners featuring energy-positive solar timber vaulting.

The core focus lies in top-tier Gran Reserva wines (Faustino I, Gran Faustino I), alongside Crianza and Reserva tiers, and even a small Cava production under its broad winemaking umbrella.

History

Founding & Early Bottlings (1861–1930)

Eleuterio Martínez Arzok established the estate in Oyón but initially sold in bulk. His successors began Rioja-region bottling after 1930, gradually consolidating vineyards and brand identity

Brand Establishment & Internationalisation (1953–1960s)

Julio Faustino Martínez, the third-generation, launched Faustino I Gran Reserva from the 1958 vintage (first released in 1964), creating an iconic wire-wrapped bottle and propelling the wine onto global markets—with export to Austria in the 1960s

Expansion & Consolidation (1970s–2000s)

Under Julio's guidance, the estate expanded into Rioja’s top terroirs, built Bodegas Campillo, and diversified into Ribera and Navarra DOs, becoming Spain’s largest vineyard owner with eight wineries

Legacy & Innovation (2024–Present)

Fourth-generation leaders Lourdes and Carmen Martínez Zabala champion sustainability and modern tourism with “Legado Bodegas Faustino,” achieving a “Planet 1.0” zero‑carbon visitor centre and spotlighting white‑wine facilities

Wine Styles

Gran Reserva Legends

Faustino I Gran Reserva is Tempranillo-led (plus Graciano, Mazuelo), aged 24+ months in oak and 48 months in bottle. Renowned for elegance, cedar, tobacco and earth tones, this wine dominates global Gran Reserva sales and features among top-10 Spanish wine searches

Age-Worthy Vintage Selections

The ultra-premium Gran Faustino 2004 undergoes two decades of aging, delivering structural depth and was awarded 96 pts by Wine Enthusiast. Faustino V Reserva offers mid-tier value with ~92 pts recognition

Crianza, Reserva & Cava

Entry-level Faustino VII and Crianza Selección de Familia cater to daily drinking, alongside occasional Cava releases produced within the Group

Wine Portfolio

Faustino I Gran Reserva

The Iconic Flagship of Rioja Tradition

Blend:

Tempranillo with Graciano & Mazuelo

Awards & Recognition:

World’s best-selling Rioja Gran Reserva

Multiple high scores including Decanter Best Wine

Wine Enthusiast 95

James Suckling 94

Gran Faustino I Gran Reserva 2004

Two-Decade Masterpiece from Legendary Vintage

Blend:

Classic Tempranillo blend

Awards & Recognition:

96 points, Wine Enthusiast

Revered as “masterpiece take its time”

Faustino V Reserva 2018

Mid-Tier Rioja Great Value

Blend:

Tempranillo-led

Awards & Recognition:

92 points from Wine Enthusiast;

Best Buy acknowledgment

Faustino VII Garnacha (Crianza)

Youthful Garnacha Expression

Blend:

Garnacha crianza

Awards & Recognition:

Recognized among modern fruity Rioja styles

Did You Know?

Every bottle of Faustino I showcases a gold-wire mesh wrapping and a Rembrandt portrait—an homage to Dutch merchant Nicolaes van Bambeeck
The iconic Faustino I was first released in 1964 from the 1958 vintage—a brand innovation by Julio Faustino Martínez that set Rioja’s premium export standard
“Legado Bodegas Faustino,” inaugurated in 2024, features timber vault architecture with solar panels, aims for zero‑carbon emissions and includes new white-wine facilities
Over 9 million bottles currently age in Faustino’s cellars, and the winery holds one of the world’s most extensive vintage Rioja collections
Faustino is the #15 most admired wine brand globally (Drinks International 2024) and has been a Rioja export leader for six consecutive years

Rioja’s Iconic Gran Reserva Powerhouse

Quick Facts

Specialty Grapes

Red Varieties

White Varieties

Awards & Recognition

About Bodegas Faustino