Our origins
“Wine is an art; if you know how to listen, it tells you when it needs decanting and how long it needs to rest. It’s like a living being that needs to be understood, cared for and pampered”. With this phrase Emilio Moro explained what wine was for him.
With more than 100 years of history, the beginnings of our winery date back to our great-grandfather, Emilio Moro and his son, also Emilio Moro. Both, who lived in a wine-growing environment surrounded by vineyards, grew up treading grapes in their hometown, Pesquera de Duero, located in one of the most important and renowned wine regions in Spain and the world, known as ‘La Milla de Oro’ (The Golden Mile). Emilio Moro instilled his love of wine in his son, who in turn passed it on to the third generation, who, with the support of the fourth generation, now run the winery.
We all understand that passion is the driving force that keeps us dreaming and moving forward to achieve our goals.
When we say that Emilio Moro was a man ahead of his time, we are not just saying it. At a time as difficult as the Spanish Civil War, when many families had no means to bring food into their homes, many decided to uproot the vines and plant cereals.
Emilio Moro dared to go against the tide and maintain these vines. He chose the path of hard work, effort and intuition, values that helped lay the foundations of what is today Bodegas Emilio Moro: the result of the passion of a family that gave body and soul to a family dream.
Behind this dream lies a figure who has made it possible, an unwavering love with a name and surname: Felisa Espinosa Castaño. Emilio Moro’s wife, a foundational woman in the history of the winery, mother and grandmother of the third and fourth generation. ‘La Feli’, as she is affectionately known, taught her children and grandchildren the passion they should feel for the land from which our wines are born. A woman rooted to her land and dedicated to her family. Natural, elegant and with a strong character, Felisa is the one who instilled in us the values that move us today, helping us look towards the horizon in search of opportunities to grow.
Because of this, because of our bond with the land, our experience and our respect for everything that surrounds the sector, we have ensured that Emilio Moro’s legacy will live on forever.
In 1891, the grandfather and great-grandfather of the third and fourth generation respectively, Emilio Moro, was born in Valbuena de Duero.
In 1924 the family planted the Pago de Valderramiro, from whose grapes Malleolus de Valderramiro comes.
In 1932, the second Moro of the saga was born, also named Emilio, who would accompany his father day by day in this profession. That same year his father planted Finca Resalso, from which our youngest wine takes its name.
With an unbounded interest in the world of wine, father and son continued to work the vineyards with passion and effort and in 1964 they planted the Pago de Sanchomartín, where another of the Malleolus came from.
Bodegas Emilio Moro was founded in 1987. Emilio Moro, second generation, and his sons began to market their wine, at that time without a label, although they themselves designed some by hand.
Only two years later, in 1989, the first vintage was produced under the Ribera del Duero Designation of Origin (D.O.), created in 1982. At that point the wine bearing his name, Emilio Moro, began to be sold with a label.
The effort began to be rewarded and in 1993 the 1989 Emilio Moro Crianza wine was elected ‘Best wine of Spain’ by the magazine ‘Vino y gastronomía’.
In 1994, Finca Resalso was born and four years later, in 1998, Malleolus was launched on the market with immediate success, marking a turning point for Bodegas Emilio Moro.
A decade later, in 2008, Emilio Moro passed away. His father, Emilio, instilled in him a love of wine, which he passed on to the third generation, who, with the support of the fourth generation, now run the winery.
The family’s first milestone after the third generation took the reins is the release of Clon de la Familia, the ultimate expression of the tradition, personality, character and passion of the three generations of the Moro family.
We continue to grow, to explore new territories, to find the best way to reach every corner of the world and to expand our offer. Thus, in 2017, as a tribute to ‘La Feli’, La Felisa was launched, an organic wine that represents the wines of yesteryear. A special wine named after the most important woman in the winery, the backbone of our family.
Malleolus celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2019 under the motto ‘In Malleolus Veritas’, a motto that today presides over the Malleolus Family box.
2022 marks a year of great changes at Bodegas Emilio Moro. There was a change in the presidency and general management, with Javier Moro and Patricia Sánchez Moro occupying these positions respectively.
This same year saw a change in the winery’s philosophy that brought several milestones such as the presentation of the new image of the Malleolus Family at the Palacio de Liria.
Between 2022 and 2023, Bodegas Emilio Moro became the official distributor of Joseph Perrier, Casanova di Neri and Borgogno e Figli.
The third generation of our family is made up of the children of Emilio Moro and Felisa. Javier, current president of the winery; Fabiola, specialist in wine tourism; and Rubi, specialist in finance.
Javier, a lover of sport and passionate about his work. He started working the vineyards that his grandfather planted on the banks of the Duero as a child. A game that, years later, became his way of life. A wine enthusiast, he doesn’t choose between red or white, he believes that variety is the spice of life. A cook in his spare time, with his mother, Felisa, always present when it comes to preparing recipes to enjoy with family and friends, he defines himself as a fan of the art of good food. Enjoying the little things is his philosophy of life, skiing and music being his outlets for disconnection and maximum enjoyment. His family is the centre of his life, and his goal is to remain happy with them.
Rubi admits that her greatest hobby is… her family. The strong character, the desire to excel and her way of walking are some of the things that Rubi has inherited from her mother, La Feli, and which, moreover, she acknowledges with pride. From her father, Emilio, she treasures above all what is immaterial, what really matters, what remains. These are essential values that she has consistently instilled in her own people. A lover of white wine, she admits that she doesn’t feel the same way about cooking. What she really enjoys is walking, alone or in company, but enjoying nature is what really fulfils her. Living a moment of authentic plenitude, she visualises herself enjoying a glass of her favourite Godello, devouring a good novel or dancing to the beat of her favourite musicians.
Fabiola is a deeply family-oriented person, always caring for her family, which she considers her fundamental pillar. Tireless and very sporty, she devotes much of her time to physical activity, one of her great passions. Dancing also has a special place in her life, as does the enjoyment of cultural activities that enrich her spirit. Since she was a child, Fabiola has been immersed in the world of wine, and one of her fondest childhood memories are the snacks with bread and wine that her father used to prepare for her. Nowadays, she loves to be at the winery to welcome visitors and talk to them about the family’s winemaking tradition and passion for wine.
The three of them grew up among vineyards watching their father, with Feli’s support, making wines with the passion he instilled in them from an early age.
Respecting and maintaining our family heritage is very important to us. We preserve our history and our origins so that they will endure and be present in every step we take towards the future. A future in which we, the fourth generation, are immersed and for which we are working to be better.
We have grown up among barrels and vineyards, living the grape harvest as a game and learning about the production of our wines, to later dedicate ourselves to it with the same passion as our grandfather.
Patricia Sánchez Moro, general manager of Bodegas Emilio Moro. She has been linked to the world of wine all her life and has been running the family winery since 2022. The eldest of Emilio and Felisa’s grandchildren, she admits that her most special memories do not revolve around a Christmas full of toys, but of playing among the vineyards with her cousins, while her grandfather dedicated himself to making great wines.
As she grew up, the game became her passion and today she recognises that it is what drives her world. As the only oenologist in the family, her love of wine transcends the professional sphere and has become one of the hobbies that allows her to disconnect from the daily hustle and bustle. Those who know her know that she loves driving, but if she’s in the company of Leiva, Fito or Sabina, decibels are never a problem. Her other passion has a surname and it’s Moro. Her family, with whom she shares her daily life and with whom she works to fulfil a common dream. May her grandfather’s legacy transcend frontiers and the culture of wine be embraced by the world.
Alberto Medina Moro, Sales Director for the Americas. He has been in the commercial department of the winery for several years and manages a key market for Bodegas Emilio Moro, Mexico. He defines himself as a lover of his work, thanks to which he is in constant contact with the legacy of his grandfather, Emilio, to whom he was very close and for whom he feels immense gratitude. From him he inherited a passion for cooking and for food, not as something functional, but as an element of enjoyment in his daily life, paella being one of his favourite dishes. Although it is in a moment that our American friends define as the good old days, it is working to make a difference every day. Travelling, meeting people, sharing with his family are hobbies he has had since he was a child. Now, sport, music, good fiction and gastronomy are what he enjoys most in his free time. An advocate of the philosophy that there isn’t always only one right way to do things, he believes that in life, being kind is the most important thing: “Always be kind, everyone is fighting a battle.”
Mario Sanchez Moro, a natural traveller, takes on the role of Head of US Sales within the Business Development department in 2021. When asked about what he likes most in the world, his answer doesn’t change (travelling) and his nomadic spirit allows him to get to know as many cultures as countries, and that for him is a real gift, especially if he can add the family component, since, due to his work, he can’t enjoy them as much as he would like to. From his grandmother, La Feli, he inherited his love of cooking. Meeting his American friends over an omelette with a good red wine is a favourite in the United States, where he now lives. From his mother, Rubi, he has inherited his passion for nature. He admits that when he comes home, his favourite thing to do is to walk with his dog while enjoying good music, no matter what style. Sport is his anchor, which keeps him grounded, and he always has time to enjoy a series while discovering white wines, a variety he enjoys more and more every day. His main goal is to grow, both personally and professionally, and to do so while making those around him happy by dedicating time to what is important. Enjoying life is what drives him, and that is what he wants for others.
Héctor Medina Moro, after a consolidated professional career in companies in Madrid, took on the role of Marketing Director of the winery in 2022, leading all the communication and marketing activities of the winery. A marketing enthusiast with a high capacity for analysis, he declares himself a lover of after-dinner conversations, with a red wine for dessert, preferably Malleolus de Valderramiro. His grandfather Emilio taught him how important it is to be able to taste a wine until the end. That is why, whenever possible, he seeks to enjoy a glass from start to finish, admiring how the wine evolves. For him, his family and friends are the most important thing. Competition runs through his veins, football being his means of escape. Having played and watched the sport as a spectator, it takes him back to his childhood and moves him, especially when he sees his team, Real Valladolid, play. A lover of good food, if given the choice, he prefers to enjoy a good restaurant rather than become a cook for a day. Not being one to give advice, the only thing he expects from his loved ones is that they be happy and, being more of a giver than a taker, on this occasion and as an exception, the only thing he asks is that it be in their company.
Emilio Moro
1989
The first wine of Bodegas Emilio Moro and the flagship of our winery. It is named after our founder and is considered the alma mater of our winery. It reflects the essence of the area’s terroir and our family’s passion for the vineyard and for making wines with soul.
Finca Resalso
1994
Our youngest wine, named after a vineyard planted by Emilio Moro in 1932. Finca Resalso is the freshest version of Tempranillo.
Malleolus
1998
A historic wine with deep roots that marked a turning point in our winery. Malleolus’, “majuelo” in Latin, as the oldest vineyards in Pesquera de Duero are called, is an elegant wine, with great personality and balance, with which we have distanced ourselves from the classic categories of crianza, reserva and gran reserva in order to, as Emilio Moro used to say, “listen” to our wines and give them the time they really need.
Malleolus de Valderramiro
2000
It is named after the Valderramiro vineyard, planted in 1924. A plot whose clay soils allow us to obtain a very special character of our Tinto Fino, which stands out for its power, structure and great intensity, giving all the prominence to the terroir.
Malleolus de Sanchomartín
2002
One of the most sublime Tempranillo wines from our winery. Named after the Sanchomartín vineyard, planted in 1964. It is a wine that stands out for being powerful, elegant and persistent.
Clon de la Familia
2009
This wine is a tribute to ‘Clon de Tinto Fino’, our greatest asset. It is made from the grapes harvested from our most iconic plots and represents the three types of soils of Ribera del Duero. This wine represents the tradition, character and passion of Bodegas Emilio Moro.
With a limited production of approximately 2,000 bottles made exclusively in those years when the harvest is excellent, they make our Clon de la Familia a unique wine.
Emilio Moro: Vendimia Seleccionada
2015
Among the vineyards we use to make Emilio Moro, taking into account their natural characteristics, each year we select the most representative of that vintage to obtain the differentiating nuances that make Emilio Moro: Vendimia Seleccionada is a unique wine. With this wine we aim to evoke and honour the history and tradition of our winery.
El Zarzal y la Revelía
2016
El Zarzal and La Revelía have arrived, our white wines that represent the maximum expression of what we at Bodegas Emilio Moro understand as the varietal character of the Godello grape. Their complexity, elegance and finesse make them unique wines.
La Felisa
2016
It is our first organic and vegan wine, free of sulphites, born as a tribute to Felisa, the backbone of the Bodegas Emilio Moro family.
Polvorete
2019
A wine born to show the wonders of the Godello grape. A cheerful, youthful, fun and easy to enjoy wine.
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Elalba de Emilio Moro
2023
Emilio Moro’s Elalba is born, the winery’s first rosé wine that shows that the beginning of each day is a new opportunity. The complexity of its production lies not only in its unique personality. The combination of Tempranillo and Albillo Mayor varieties results in a fresh and subtle but complex and elegant wine thanks to its ageing in French oak barrels.
Bestizo
2024
We are launching Bestizo, our first Mencía red wine made in El Bierzo. A wine that reflects our passion for the land and the driving spirit of the fourth generation of our family towards new horizons.
After a long career in Ribera del Duero, in 2013, we fell in love with a variety, Godello, and an area, El Bierzo. That love led us, three years later, in 2016, to embark on a new project with the aim of enhancing the Godello grape variety and committing to a growing wine-growing area.
We began this new adventure by presenting two of our Godello wines to the market: El Zarzal and La Revelía, white wines made from 100% Godello grapes that represent a clear varietal character.
In 2019 Polvorete, the freshest, youngest and most fun version of Godello, was added.
This exciting project began as a dream that has materialised with the construction of our own winery in El Bierzo, which was inaugurated in May 2024.
At Bodegas Emilio Moro we want to grow, to expand our frontiers to inspire people through our essence. For this reason, we join those with whom, sharing values and philosophy, allow us to improve every day and convey the love we feel for wine.
We are growing, expanding and extending our presence in the market through alliances that allow us to convey the love we feel for wine.
In November 2022, we began a new relationship with Joseph Perrier, a French champagne house that has been producing champagne since 1825, making us the official distributors of its products in Spain.
With them we share values such as heritage, family legacy and excellence, which is why we believe this alliance will make us stronger.
With the aim of continuing to make Emilio Moro’s legacy known around the world by expanding our market, in 2023 we embarked on a new journey with two of the most renowned wineries with the longest tradition in Italy. Giacomo Borgogno & Figli, known for being the winery with the longest history in the DOCG Barolo; and Casanova Di Neri, a prestigious winery located in Tuscany, the birthplace of the Sangiovese variety, a grape that stands out for its great freshness and elegance.
Once again, we have joined forces with companies with which we share the values that are so important to us, such as tradition, the constant search for quality and respect for the vineyard and the terroir. Two alliances with which we can go further because ‘by sharing values, we will grow together’.
