History
Our Origin
The ancestors of the founding partner, Álvaro de Alvear, were vine growers in Nájera, the old capital of the Kingdom of Navarra which is part of La Rioja now.
In the late 17th century Juan de Alvear was posted to Cordoba. His son, then the Mayor of Nájera, married a Cordoban and moved to Montilla where, keeping with the family tradition, he planted vines and set up a bodega in 1729. His descendents were mainly marines and soldiers who, on retirement, returned home to work in the winery.
History
Our Origin
The ancestors of the founding partner, Álvaro de Alvear, were vine growers in Nájera, the old capital of the Kingdom of Navarra which is part of La Rioja now.
In the late 17th century Juan de Alvear was posted to Cordoba. His son, then the Mayor of Nájera, married a Cordoban and moved to Montilla where, keeping with the family tradition, he planted vines and set up a bodega in 1715. His descendents were mainly marines and soldiers who, on retirement, returned home to work in the winery.
One of the most famous was Diego de Alvear Ponce de León, a commodore in the Armada, polyglot and researcher of flora and fauna from South America, he was appointed as one of three commissioners to establish the border between Spain and Portugal on behalf of the king. He was also a hero of the War of Independence, after leading the troops that defeated the French in La Isla de Leon.
His great-great-grandson, Álvaro de Alvear, managed the ALVEAR family winery for decades. In 1999 decided to start this personal project and founded Viña Santa Marina, is located 12 km away from Mérida, next to the La Plata highway.
It was his Extremaduran roots led him to buy this estate, an extension of 200 hectares, dragged at the foot of the Sierra de la Moneda, with 80 hectares of perfectly preserved Mediterranean forest that embellish this estate.
Currently it is some of his children and nephews who run Viña Santa Marina.
One of the most famous was Diego de Alvear Ponce de León, a commodore in the Armada, polyglot and researcher of flora and fauna from South America, he was appointed as one of three commissioners to establish the border between Spain and Portugal on behalf of the king. He was also a hero of the War of Independence, after leading the troops that defeated the French in La Isla de Leon.
His great-great-grandson, Álvaro de Alvear, managed the ALVEAR family winery for decades. In 1999 decided to start this personal project and founded Viña Santa Marina, is located 12 km away from Mérida, next to the La Plata highway.
It was his Extremaduran roots led him to buy this estate, an extension of 200 hectares, dragged at the foot of the Sierra de la Moneda, with 80 hectares of perfectly preserved Mediterranean forest that embellish this estate.
MORE THAN 300 YEARS OF HISTORY
A Unique Place
On this unique place, a terroir winery was created, with small plots planted with native grape varieties and others of French origin. A history of more than 300 years where the Alvear family and their terroir have been intrinsically united and today produce exceptional wines in Viña Santa Marina.
The Winery
Visit Us
12 km from Mérida on a Roman settlement is our winery under the protection of an imposing granite mass, the Sierra de La Moneda, famous for its cave paintings, at whose feet has grown a dense Mediterranean forest that accompanies our wines with their balsamic aromas.
