Bhilar Winery Visit: Biodynamic, High-Elevation Rioja Pioneers - Milwaukee

Organic, High-Elevation Rioja Pioneers – Get To Know Bhilar.

Those are buzzwords on the wine scene today, but they are something David and Melaine have always taken to heart. And Melaine isn’t a sidekick along for the ride: After marrying David, moving to Rioja Alavesa, having two kids, and cashing out her 401k to purchase a specific vineyard of her own—I can fully say that Bhilar is truly a family-owned business. 

Rioja is big, relatively flat, and as such can be industrially farmed. That’s why you see $3 Rioja on occasion. But it’s also full of old vines – nothing Bhilar works with is younger than 50 years old, and many are over 100. David and Melaine feel the best way to treat these vines is under the respectful care of biodynamics, a system of farming where the entire vineyard  is viewed holistically.

That’s not an easy philosophy to pursue in Rioja, and when they started out it seemed impossible. They had just one acre of vineyards to their name. And while surrounded by ancient vines, every grower they talked to wanted to continue with the standard, tried-and-true, chemically intensive ways of farming. Eventually, in 2007 one grower gave them a chance, and that chance has now blossomed into a family of delightful wines. And we are going to taste as many as we can! 

Please join us in welcoming Melanie for an exclusive tasting. Ticket price is $30 (credited with a purchase, no cash value) or free to terroir club members. 

Wines to be tasted: TBA.