Rodolfo Bastida is the Wine Technical Director of Diego Zamora and Managing Director of Ramón Bilbao Vinos y Viñedos, with wineries in Rioja, Ribera del Duero, Rias Baixas and La Mancha. Yet this Rioja cellarist entered the wine scene by chance. Rodolfo and his family were born in a Riojan town near Logroño, the capital city.


“I can recall that my family made a living by farming, but the wine was not the essential crop. Since my father was born in La Rioja and owned a few vineyards, but it was not the main crop”. Besides the fact that Rodolfo counted with a strong viticultural tradition, he also had always been interested on  the subject. “It is true that for me, this job has been a vocational calling”, he admits. He does remember the times when his father would sell the grapes coming from his vineyards to the various vine cellars in the surrounding area, something that called his attention.


When he graduated in Agricultural Engineering, Rodolfo began to work by chance , in a company linked to the wine sector, filling a technical position. There he began to acquire knowledge on the subject, which, soon enough made a strong impression upon him. “I, in addition to several other people, began to experiment a research diligently, in order to obtain wines with strong character”. This process allowed him to come into close contact in a very direct way to the wine scene. “It was something which made me feel alive. I realized that the many efforts performed  for this small enterprise were put into practice quickly, and people really knew how to appreciate it”.


Before this situation, he made the decision to specialize in the subject, studying and eventually obtaining a Master’s in Oenology and Viticulture, a degree which allowed him to join Bodegas Bretón, a prestigious wine cellar which boomed in the eighties. “I cherish the years when I worked for this company” For a period of over eight years (until 1999), he worked for this wine cellar. “It was a great source of knowledge, and I will be forever thankful to this company for everything I was able to learn”, recalls Rodolfo.


Yet, it was a result of parting from this wine cellar, and having completed an MBA that his current relationship with Ramon Bilbao arose, and it seems as if it will last through times to come. “The call from a wine cellar such as Ramón Bilbao, with then over seventy five years of history behind it, seduced and intrigued me. In addition, they explained the project of the new property which they had in mind, and we put our hands to work”.


The fact is that Rodolfo was placed before a wine cellar with good health, yet demanding a shift in direction in order to face the future with optimism. At that time a renovation was necessary in order to replace the outdated plan. Rodolfo began from bottom up, giving shape to a “ project whose results will solidify as the years pass”. And it is just that Rodolfo’s theory is very straightforward: “I believe that an ambitious goal should be allowed an expanded period of time, and when I say an expanded period of time, I mean at least twenty years” Yet it is obvious that during this extended period, additional short-term objectives will be set. And the fact is that behind the serious image  given off by Rodolfo, there hides a daring personality, which allowed him to become in charge of Ramon Bilbao with only 31 years of age.


Rodolfo has achieved to introduce an innovative way of perceiving the wine world, above all because this view is being applied to a wine cellar whose dimensions are medium such as Ramón Bilbao: “I believe that in a place such as Rioja, it is not difficult to make good wine. If one counts with good grapes, anyone who knows something on the subject can achieve to make good wine. This is the reason why I am convinced that it is through the attention given to subtle details that, which can achieve an advantage in the market. It is the things that go unnoticed that marks the difference”. For this reason, he strongly believes that a great deal of success can be achieved by taking good care of the grapes while in the vineyard: “Fine grapes are the result of good wine growing: this means carefully choosing the right land, the perfect exposure, and adequate grape  varieties”. Without a doubt, these ideas are a clear vestige of his childhood, his father’s legacy, and a Riojan farmer.


This young winemaker, now  38 years old and married to another  winemaker from Rioja, says:"At the moment, I do not wish to own my own wine cellar. I feel fortunate for being a part of this wine cellar, for having a great team, and for making the wine I  love to make, a wine which we feel is a part of us”.