History
Bodegas Bilbaínas is the oldest bottling firm of La Rioja. It is the winery with the largest area of underground cellars in the region (3,400 m2) and the largest area of vineyards in the municipality of Haro, the emblematic capital of La Rioja Alta. The privileged quality vineyards are spread over an area of 250 hectares that provide the cellar with locally harvested grapes, which ensures rapid processing without loss of quality. The winery produces, within its range, some of the most prestigious and iconic wines of La Rioja, being the best known Pomal Vineyard, Vineyard Zaco, Royal Carlton and La Vicalanda.
The origins of the winery go back to the year 1859 when Savignon Frères & Cie., Settled in Haro, fleeing from the phylloxera that affected the Gallic vineyards. In 1901, a group of Bilbao businessmen acquired the winery and formed the company Bodegas Bilbaínas.
Viña Pomal was conceived by Don Santiago de Ugarte, co-founder of Bodegas Bilbaínas and first Managing Director of the Company. The first label in which Viña Pomal appears as a denomination belongs to a Special Reserve of the 1904 vintage (a truly exceptional vintage).
Although they would later converge on a single brand, in 1904, along with Viña Pomal, Castle Pomal was also born, which, destined for the British market, reveals the importance that the international dimension of the brand has always had and always has. Curiously, only on the Castle Pomal labels was the coat of arms of the Spanish Royal House, of which the winery was an official wine supplier.