Traversing the Mayor valley

We work over a river. Literally: the current Muriel winery, in Elciego (Rioja Alavesa), was expanded in the 1980s over the course of the Mayor river, which was tunneled so the water could continue flowing through to the Ebro river nearby. Winemaking and logistics equipment for the bodega is now found on the higher part of that tunnel.

The Mayor river is a humble tributary. Typically Mediterranean, its water level is low and it usually dries up in the summer. It is short, barely 10 km: the distance it covers as it crosses Rioja Alavesa from north to south, from its source at the foot of the Sierra de Cantabria, where several streams converge, to the great Ebro river.

It might be modest, but the Mayor river is important: just like its neighbours and parallel streams ?Herrera, Mesón, San Martín, Rojanda, Soto, San Ginés o Grande? it is responsible for the singular terrain in our area. Over millions of years, water has passed through erratically piercing the clay-limestone soils and shaping the landscape of Rioja Alavesa as it is today: a set of ravines, terraces, escarpments and south-facing platforms. This landscape is key to grow quality, productive, healthy vines.

 

 

Traversing the Mayor river valley

Over the past early autumn days, we have been documenting the countryside near the Mayor river. We have concentrated our efforts on the medium course along the road that goes from Elciego up to the Mayor valley towards the villages of Navaridas and Leza. These villages emerged on the banks of the stream after the 10th century and used its water resources. The role of the Mayor is not limited to shaping the area orographically. Like the rest of the river network in Rioja Alavesa, it was one of the main factors in populating these lands.

In our approach, we have explored the narrow strip of forest on the banks of the river, a cool and humid stretch that stands in contrast with the dryness of the limestone knolls, mostly planted with vines. During the harvest, trailers loaded with grapes come and go from the vineyards to the various bodegas, including ours in Elciego.

Our exploration of the Mayor valley has taken us to Alto de Castejón, a ridge on the outskirts of Navaridas. It?s a secluded and well-aired location with breathtaking views. In the Iron Age, a dynamic farming community settled here right until 500 B.C. From this area, there are commanding views of the central valley area, a geographical, natural and historical space that we intend to explore further.

 

Panorama of the Mayor river valley from Alto de Castejón. On the left you can see the nearby town of Navaridas. In the image of the center, in the distance, the hill of Laguardia stands out.

 

The premises of  Muriel winery in Elciego, with the loading esplanade in the foreground. Just below is the fluvial tunnel through which the Mayor river flows towards its mouth in the Ebro.

 

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