From the atlas
Dominio de Eguren
Dominio de Eguren selects grapes from family controlled vineyards in Manchuela for young Spanish wines led by Tempranillo.
At A Glance
| Field | Detail |
| Region | Manchuela, with some production from family vineyards in Rioja and Toro |
| Appellation | IGP Vinos de la Tierra |
| Main grapes | Tempranillo, Bobal, Viura (Macabeo), Airén |
| Signature wine | Protocolo Tinto |
| Defining feature | Selected grapes from contracted vineyards controlled by the Eguren family |
The Producer
In Manchuela, the Eguren family selects grapes from contracted vineyards under family control and vinifies them as young, clean Spanish wines. Dominio de Eguren was founded by the fourth generation of the Eguren family, with Marcos Eguren as winemaker and Miguel Angel Eguren as general manager.
The vineyard selection includes Tempranillo, Bobal, Viura, also known as Macabeo, and Airén. The project also draws some production from young family vineyards in Rioja and Toro, planted with massal selections of Tempranillo and Tinta de Toro. Its stated approach is simple: select the highest quality grapes, use cold soaking and stainless steel fermentation, and bottle young wines.
Place
Most vineyards used by the project are leased under long term contracts in Manchuela. Some production comes from young family vineyards in Rioja and Toro, giving the range more than one Spanish source of fruit.
The wines are vinified at the family's winery in Manchuela, then transported to Rioja near the company's headquarters for bottling and shipping. Manchuela remains the production base, while Rioja handles the final logistical stage.
Soil And Site
The family selected its Manchuela vineyards for advanced vine age, poor soils, and a unique microclimate. The contracted vineyards are trellised and planted in calcareous clay soils, while the Eguren family reduces yields as much as possible.
Clay can retain water around the roots, while calcareous material contributes drainage and a firm soil base. Lower yields leave fewer bunches per vine. Farming is described as sustainable.
Story
The fourth generation of the Eguren family founded Dominio de Eguren around a vineyard selection model rather than a single owned estate. Most of the Manchuela vineyards are held through long term leases, while younger family vineyards in Rioja and Toro remain separate from estate bottled wines until the vines are considered old enough.
Marcos Eguren handles winemaking and Miguel Angel Eguren manages the project. The resulting program keeps Manchuela at its production centre while reserving young Rioja and Toro fruit for a later stage of vineyard maturity.
Vineyards And Cellar
The basic young wine method begins with a cold soak followed by fermentation in stainless steel. Protocolo receives a 48 hour cold soak in stainless steel before fermentation, followed by eight days of post fermentation maceration.
Fermentation uses yeasts selected and cultured from the family's vineyards and cellar. Protocolo is cold stabilized, then receives light micro oxygenation to soften its tannins. It is bottled young to protect freshness and aromatics.
Wines
The official group range lists Protocolo and Códice wines under IGP Vinos de la Tierra. Protocolo Tinto is the red Protocolo wine, made from Tempranillo and positioned as a young bottling. Códice appears as a separate name within the same core range.
The range is built around accessible young wines rather than extended ageing categories. Protocolo's varietal format keeps the grape visible, while the broader vineyard program includes Bobal, Viura, Airén, and Tinta de Toro among the family's selected fruit sources.
In The Glass
The 2022 Protocolo shows red and black currant aromas. Dark berries, cedar, and vanilla follow on the palate, with a long fruit driven finish.
The wine has 5.1 g/l acidity and 2.4 g/l residual sugar. The acidity keeps the palate lively, while the modest residual sugar leaves the wine dry in impression. Its fruit profile stays at the centre of the finish.
A Bottle To Understand It
Put Protocolo Tinto first. It is a 100% Tempranillo varietal wine under IGP Vinos de la Tierra, bottled young rather than given extended élevage.
The bottle brings one grape, one classification, and the project's young wine approach together without a second grape to parse. Its place in the range is clear from the label and the production method.
Final Word
Dominio de Eguren joins family controlled vineyard selection in Manchuela with young wine making built around cold soaking and stainless steel fermentation. Protocolo Tinto keeps that approach in a single Tempranillo bottle under IGP Vinos de la Tierra.
Sources
- https://www.sierracantabria.com/las-bodegas/dominio-de-eguren/
- https://www.jorgeordonezselections.com/winery.php?wineryID=27
- https://www.regalwine.com/producer/dominio-de-eguren/
- https://www.jorgeordonezselections.com/single-wine.php?wineID=121
- https://missionws.se/en/products/protocolo-organic-red/