Bodega Exopto

Bodega Exopto belongs to a Frenchman who has been reinventing Rioja since 2003! Tom Puyaubert, a native of Gascony, settled in the village of Laguardia, in the heart of Rioja, ten years ago, where he created Bodega Exopto. He learned how to make wine while working for leading coopers such as Demptos and Saury, alongside some of Spain's greatest oenologists.

He made his first wine in Virginia, at Rockbridge Vineyard alongside Sheperd Rouse, before working as an oenologist in Bordeaux. His values are respect, balance, patience, and tranquility. The Bodega Exopto vineyards are located in the municipalities of Laguardia (Rioja Alavesa) and Abalos (Rioja Alta), as well as in Rioja Baja. The vines range in age from 20 to 90 years old. The agilo-calcareous soils of Rioja Alavesa bring strength, structure, and color to the wine. The soils of Rioja Alta bring minerality and fruit. The blend of the two gives the wine a rich and balanced character.

The originality of Tom's wines also lies in the systematic blending of three varieties: Tempranillo, Graciano, and Grenache. The wines of Bodega Exopto reflect all the strength and richness of Rioja, with Bordeaux-style blends that are refined and elegant. Robert Parker rightly stated that the three new vintages from Bodega Exopto are all extraordinary. Exopto's B.B. (Big Bang) is a real bargain in terms of value for money.