The visit to the Navarra Designation of Origin by an outstanding group of Masters of Wine from all over the world has reinforced the region's leadership as a reference territory for Garnacha and has confirmed the growing international interest in its wines.
Olite, December 09, 2025 - Twenty international experts with the prestigious title of Master of Wine have focused their attention this weekend on the Garnacha variety, choosing the D.O. Navarra as one of the key regions to deepen their study within the professional journey. "Cradles of Grenache"led by the renowned Spanish Master of Wine Pedro Ballesteros. The group participated in a "Great Garnacha Tasting" organized at the headquarters of the Regulatory Council of the D.O. Navarra, where they were able to appreciate the diversity and authenticity of the Navarra Garnacha, tasting white, rosé and red wines from the five production areas of the Designation: Tierra Estella, Valdizarbe, Baja Montaña, Ribera Alta and Ribera Baja. One of the most valued aspects has been the capacity of the Navarre Garnacha to transmit the landscape and the character of the terroir, expressing itself differently in each area. This diversity has turned the tasting into a unique experience of contrasts. The Masters of Wine have especially highlighted the singular freshness of Garnacha D.O. Navarra, an attribute associated with the privileged location of the northernmost vineyards in Spain for red varieties. In addition to this tasting, the experts have had the opportunity to taste more than 45 references of Garnacha grapes in a freetasting in which wines from nearly thirty different wineries participated.. During their stay, the group also visited EVENA (Estación de Viticultura y Enología de Navarra) to learn about the latest research projects on the variety; the Vitis Navarra nursery, where they studied in depth the conservation and development of Garnacha clones; and the town of San Martín de Unx, a historic wine-growing town, where they toured vineyards and tasted different wines.
"The wines of the D.O. Navarra have experienced an extraordinary evolution in recent years. I feel deeply proud to have been able to show this group of Masters of Wine from all over the world the character of Navarra's Garnacha grapes, wines that are opening a new horizon for the appellation. Navarra can and should feel proud: its wineries are producing wines of outstanding quality, capable of placing this land in the place of excellence it deserves on the international wine map", said Pedro Ballesteros, one of the few Spanish Masters of Wine and, therefore, one of the most respected figures in international wine.
For David Palacios, president of the Regulatory Council of the Navarra D.O., this visit has meant "A decisive moment for our region and for Garnacha, the variety that best defines us. The fact that the Masters of Wine have come here shows that this territory has a unique story to tell and that the main references in the sector are looking to Navarra. Our land is a hidden treasure, waiting to be discovered".
The trip, organized by the Interprofesional del Vino de España (OIVE) and the Masters of Wine Institute, was part of a program designed by Pedro Ballesteros Torres MW in collaboration with Masters of Wine residents in Spain. The initiative has brought together influential professionals from strategic markets such as the United States, the United Kingdom and Germany, consolidating itself as one of the most relevant actions for the international projection of Spanish wine.
Navarre Grenache, essence and diversity of a historical region
Garnacha is the common thread that unites the sub-zones of the D.O. Navarra, transmitting the identity of the region. Garnacha Tinta is currently the most important variety in terms of vineyard surface area, with a documented presence since 1746, according to EVENA studies. Its history in Navarra dates back to the 17th and 18th centuries, and it gained prominence at the end of the 19th century thanks to its resistance to diseases such as powdery mildew. It is a rustic and adaptable variety, capable of producing wines with rich alcohol content, good acidity, medium body and a notable aromatic expression. In Navarra, single varietals and coupages are produced in its three colors -white, rosé and red-, among which the rosés of bleeding, emblem of the Denomination, stand out, as well as high quality young and aged reds. The region also grows Garnacha Blanca and Garnacha Gris (also known as Garnacha Roja).
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