Alejandro López takes the helm at one of the world’s most sustainable wineries, succeeding Matías Calleja, who served as Winemaker and Technical Director of Bodegas Beronia for an impressive 42 years
Ollauri, October 7, 2024 – Alejandro López has been named Winemaker and Technical Director of Bodegas Beronia, a Riojan Winery imported to the United States by González Byass USA. In 2018, López was recognized as one of Decanter’s Top 10 Emerging Spanish Winemakers, heralded as a “key figure and leader in the new generation of winemakers who are driving trends in Spain.” Now, he brings his expertise to Beronia, a renowned Rioja Alta winery, which was the first winery in the world to achieve LEED V4 BD+C:NC and LEED Gold sustainable building certification.
López holds degrees in Viticulture and Oenology from the University of La Rioja and Agricultural Engineering from the University of Navarra. He began his career advising winemakers and grape growers on organic farming practices. After over two decades of working in wineries across Chile, Italy, and the United States, he returned to Rioja, where he continued to excel as a winemaker and technical director in prominent wineries in Rioja Alavesa and Haro.
As the new leader of Bodegas Beronia, López is set to guide the winery through its next chapter in a journey that has already spanned more than 50 years. “We will stay true to our roots and traditions while embracing new challenges that help us refine our vineyard classification and continue producing wines that authentically express our terroir,” says López.
Alejandro succeeds Matías Calleja, the iconic winemaker, who leaves a lasting legacy after more than four decades of crafting wines from the heart of La Rioja, always with a meticulous eye for detail. A forward-thinker, Calleja pioneered the use of new technology and maintained a strong market focus, leading to countless awards for Beronia. His tenure was defined by his unwavering dedication to sustainability, always striving to “leave a better, more sustainable world for future generations.”
With this leadership change, López is committed to innovation, sustainability, and excellence—the foundational pillars of Beronia wines. He will tackle new challenges and carry forward the legacy of a winery that crafts wines “born among friends to be enjoyed with friends.” As López puts it, “Our team faces the exciting task of creating wines that resonate with consumers, speak their language, offer a gastronomic profile, and tell stories that elevate the experience.”
