Bodegas Casa La Rad has appointed Barbara Palacios López-Montenegro as its new head winemaker, marking a significant milestone for the Rioja estate. Palacios, the first female winemaker from the renowned Palacios family of Spain, brings extensive international experience and a strong connection to La Rioja’s winemaking traditions.
The appointment comes as Casa La Rad continues its commitment to terroir-driven winemaking and sustainable viticulture. Laurent Grumel, general manager of the winery, described Palacios’ arrival as a “perfect match” for the estate’s philosophy.
“We are thrilled to welcome Barbara to Casa La Rad,” he said. “Her expertise, passion, and commitment to authenticity align perfectly with our vision. Under her leadership, we look forward to producing wines that embody both elegance and the unique characteristics of our estate.”
A Legacy of Winemaking Excellence
Palacios’ career spans multiple continents and some of the world’s most prestigious wineries. She studied viticulture and oenology in Bordeaux, earning technical diplomas in 2004, before gaining hands-on experience at Château Margaux and Château Pichon-Longueville Baron in Médoc, as well as Robert Mondavi in Napa Valley.
Her international career has taken her to Australia, New Zealand, Italy, Chile, Argentina, and Spain, where she has worked with top-tier wine producers. In 2005, she returned to Rioja to cultivate a small vineyard near Haro, planted by her father, Antonio Palacios, in 1989. This personal project laid the foundation for her own winery, Bodega Barbarot. She further solidified her expertise in 2014 by earning an oenology degree from the University of Rioja.
Casa La Rad: A Historic Estate with a Modern Vision
Casa La Rad’s origins date back to the 17th century when it was established as a hunting lodge for the Marquises de Legarda. Today, it is the largest single-property wine estate in Rioja, spanning 800 hectares, with 48 distinct vineyard parcels planted at elevations between 515 and 675 metres. The vineyards, averaging more than 30 years in age, include 28 hectares of Garnacha, Malvasía, and Viura vines dating back to the mid-1970s.
The estate’s altitude, rugged terrain, and microclimates contribute to the complexity of its wines. Since its transformation under new ownership in 2014, Casa La Rad has embraced innovative barrel-ageing techniques, moving away from traditional Reserva and Crianza classifications in pursuit of maximum terroir expressiveness.
Sustainability is central to Casa La Rad’s philosophy. The estate is certified by the internationally recognised FAIR’N GREEN standard for sustainable viticulture. Located in the Ocón Valley—a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve—only 14% of the estate is under vine, with the rest dedicated to old-growth woodlands, olive groves, and grain fields.
Casa La Rad produces 100% estate-grown Rioja DOCa wines under the Casa La Rad, Alma La Rad, and Viña Solarce labels. Current production stands at 75,000 litres, with plans to expand to 200,000 litres by 2030.
With Palacios at the helm, Casa La Rad enters a new chapter, reinforcing its commitment to quality, authenticity, and sustainability.
For more information, visit www.casalarad.com.