An Evening with Ilze Zigele of Bodegas Roda & Bodegas La Horra

Some wineries feel rooted in the earth beneath them. Others seem to orbit around a single obsessive idea — a pursuit that shapes every vineyard decision, every fermentation, every bottle that leaves the cellar.

Bodegas Roda belongs to the latter.

Founded in 1987 in the historic Barrio de la Estación in Haro — Rioja’s spiritual center — Roda emerged from a deceptively simple question: What if Rioja were rebuilt from the vineyard up? Rather than blending broadly across regions as tradition dictated, the team began by mapping hundreds of old-vine parcels throughout Rioja Alta, selecting sites based on soil composition, altitude, and the genetic diversity of their ancient Tempranillo vines. The result was a house style that feels unmistakably Rioja yet startlingly precise — wines of depth, polish, and quiet power that have become benchmarks for modern Rioja.

In the decades since, Roda has earned a place among Spain’s great estates, known for wines that combine classical structure with vivid fruit purity: dark cherry, wild plum, tobacco leaf, cedar, crushed herbs, and the mineral undertones of Rioja’s limestone soils. Their flagship cuvées—Roda Reserva, Roda I, and the legendary Cirsion—have become reference points for collectors and critics alike.

But the story doesn’t end in Rioja.

In Ribera del Duero, Roda’s sister project Bodegas La Horra explores the darker, more powerful expression of Tempranillo grown on the high plateau of Castilla y León. Here the variety takes on a different voice—blackberry and cassis layered with violet, graphite, and spice, framed by Ribera’s natural intensity and structure. The wines of La Horra reveal how dramatically place can shape the same grape.

On this special evening we are thrilled to welcome Ilze Zigele, Export Director for Bodegas Roda, who will guide us through the philosophy, vineyards, and evolution of these remarkable estates. Ilze brings a deep knowledge of both Rioja and Ribera del Duero, along with firsthand insight into the vineyards, winemaking, and vision that drive these wines.

Together we will taste through a curated lineup from Roda and La Horra, exploring how site, vine genetics, and meticulous cellar work translate into wines of texture, balance, and unmistakable identity.

Expect an evening of great conversation, deep dives into Spanish terroir, and a rare opportunity to experience two of Spain’s most compelling producers through the perspective of someone who knows them intimately.

Seats are limited — and for lovers of Rioja, Ribera del Duero, and beautifully made Tempranillo, this is not a night to miss.

Ticket credited with a two bottle purchase. 

All prices listed reflect regular retail. Significant discounts will be offered on all wines tasted. Due to the highly allocated nature of some selections, wines may change without notice.