ARGENTINA
Explore the best sustainable wines from 25 of our top producers
Wine 1
Wine 2
AUSTRALIA
Bodegas Caro Amancaya
Norton Luján de Cuyo DOC Malbec
Wine 3 Longview Yakka Shiraz
Wine 4 Rabl Grüner Veltliner Löss
ITALY
Wine 5 Leyda Sauvignon Blanc Reserva
Wine 6
Wine 7
Wine 8
Wine 9
Wine 10
Wine 11
Wine 12
Wine 13
Wine 14
Wine 15
Wine 16
Château La Rose du Pin
Cave de Lugny Mâcon-Lugny Grande Réserve
Brocard Petit Chablis
Domaine Duffour Père et Fils
Borie de Maurel Espirit d’Automne
Château de Caraguilhes Prestige
Domaine de L’Ostal Grand Vin
Rhonéa Côtes du Rhône Légende des Toques
Sirocco Sun Appassite
Musella Valpolicella Superiore
Romeo & Juliet Passione Passimento Red
Explore the best sustainable wines from 25 of our top producers
Wine 17 Insight Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc
Wine 18 The White Town
USA
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Wine 19
Wine 20
Wine 21
Wine 22
Wine 23
Luzon Alma Selección
Follas Novas Albariño
El Holgazán Ribera del Duero
Acuro Organic Rioja Reserva
De Alberto Organic Verdejo
Wine 24 Kendall-Jackson Vintner’s Reserve Chardonnay
Wine 25 Penfolds App Exclusive Offers
There is lots to learn about producing wine sustainably.
Let us make it easy for you
to navigate!
Organic, sustainable, biodynamic: there’s a veritable dictionary of terms within the world of “eco wines” and it can be tricky figuring out what they all mean!
We know the environment is important to our customers, as it is to us, and we’re very proud that many of our wineries and winemaking partners have strong standards in this regard.
If you’re keen to make greener wine decisions or want to decipher your favourite wine’s eco credentials, it helps to know what to look out for. Lynne Coyle Master of Wine, O’Briens Wine Director explains some of the most common terms and what they mean in the vineyards.
Organic Wine
Global wine regulation states that organic viticulture must look to maintain and protect ecosystems, soft fertility, natural resources, increase biodiversity and promote ecological cycles.
Organic growers must also eliminate or minimise the use of chemical interventions in favour of using organic products. The use of genetically modified products is forbidden.
Sustainability
Sustainable practices are bound to environmental responsibility. Sustainable practices seek to keep and improve the balance within eco-systems for humans, animals, plants, insects, and micro-organisms.
Starting in the vineyard, the protection of soil, air, and water resources are paramount and within the winery, energy and resource conservation and social commitments are also incorporated.
“There is a plethora of choices facing our wine estates when it comes to deciding how to farm their vineyards. Many, like ourselves, are family businesses and we expect them to have specific environmental goals,” Lynne explains.
“Factors that affect their farming philosophy are many, but local climate conditions are a key consideration. For example, in cooler or wetter locations, opting to farm 100% organically is more difficult, but organic farming is not the only option open to our grape growers who want to work with environmental respect.”
Biodynamic
Farming biodynamically follows organic principles and has a holistic approach to farming that incorporates soil health, biodiversity, and the use of homeopathic plant treatments to help support vine health.
Biodiversity
Vineyard biodiversity programmes are important for the health and preservation of its ecosystem. Pollination, biological pest control, maintenance of soil structure and fertility, nutrient cycling and hydrological processes are its focus.
Improving vineyard biodiversity is the basis for sustainable farming thus minimising the environmental impact and protecting flora and wildlife.
Spring.
A time of renewal and optimism as Mother Nature shakes off the cloak of winter and green shoots appear, each one full of the promise of brighter days ahead.
Few appreciate the magic of nature like a winemaker and the art of creating wine has nature at its very heart. Throughout the world, winemakers work in symmetry with the earth, reflecting unique terroirs and climates and all sorts of challenges to grow the very best grapes, in turn creating exceptional wines.
Nowhere is this more evident than in organic and sustainable wines. These wines are made by growers who prioritise protecting the environment, soil fertility and natural resources and work to encourage biodiversity. The winemaker’s partnership with nature really comes to the fore, resulting in wines that reflect the flavour and character of the grapes and their provenance.
At O’Briens we have witnessed this special alchemy at close hand for decades. Irish and family owned, we import much of our range of more than 800 wines directly from over 180 wineries across the globe. We know our winemakers by name and know just how much skill, dedication and craft goes into every bottle on our shelves.
Over the years, we have learned our winemakers’ fascinating stories first hand and here, we introduce some of them to you. These incredible men and women are as passionate about protecting the earth as they are about creating fabulous wines. For our part, we are engaging with each of our wineries to ascertain their sustainability goals so our customers can always choose a wine with confidence.
Join us as we delve into the stories of some of our winemaking partners – and discover the wine we love.
Bodegas Caro Amancaya
Mendoza, Argentina
Named after an Andean flower, Amancaya is a delicate blend of Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon. In order to preserve its balance, the wine is aged partly in French oak barrels and partly in cement vats.
-
Nicolás Catena
Nicolás Catena WineProducerat BodegasCaro
Bodegas Caro
Bodegas Caro is a partnership between the renowned Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite) and the Catena families.
Founded in 1999, the winery is situated in Mendoza in Argentina, with vineyards spread across the region’s premium sites including Luján de Cuyo and the Uco Valley. Bodegas Caro’s wines represent the very best of winemaking traditions from Bordeaux and Mendoza and caring for the environment is at the heart of the winemaking ethos.
The winery is B Corp Certified, a testament to its focus on sustainable viticulture, biodiversity planting, water preservation and responsible sourcing. We have worked with them for over twenty years, with wines from Argentina, Chile and France from the Baron de Rothschild stable.
Tasting Note
With expressive notes of red fruit, coffee and black pepper this is a complex and beautifully balanced wine.
Regional food pairing
Crispy roast chicken with baby potato and chives
Norton Luján de Cuyo DOC Malbec
Mendoza, Argentina
As the first Argentinian winery to certify its vineyards to international sustainability standards, Norton proves that great wines are born from a deep respect for the land and environment.
- Grattan O’Brien, O’Briens Managing Director
David Bonomi ChiefWinemakerat BodegasNorton
Bodega Norton
Bodega Norton are one of the most important wineries in Argentina, with an international reputation for their wines. Like all Argentinian wineries, Norton are pioneers of Malbec but for almost 130 years they have also been leaders in caring for the environment and people through a solid policy of sustainability and social responsibility.
The business boasts strong eco credentials across all aspects, from the vineyards through to bottling in lightweight bottles. As they say themselves, “We are passionate about nature and always recognise ourselves as part of it.
All our actions, vineyards and processes are certified according to strict international standards to guarantee the highest quality of our wines.” We have had a strong working relationship with Bodega Norton for over 16 years and if you’re keen to discover Malbec, this is a great place to start!
Tasting Note
Loaded with ripe red fruits and spicy pepper. Twelve months in French oak barrels gives a nice tannic structure and toasty complexity.
Longview Yakka Shiraz
Adelaide Hills, Australia
Yakka Shiraz is a team favourite as it would be unusual to find a red from the cool climate Adelaide Hill. However, a warmer microclimate in an area called Macclesfield allows these grapes to ripen. - Lynne
Coyle Master of Wine, O’Briens Wine Director
Saturno OwnerandWinemakerat LongviewVineyard
Peter
Longview
Founded in 1995, Longview is a family-owned singlevineyard estate located in the Adelaide Hills of South Australia. Brothers Mark and Peter Saturno oversee a small, dedicated wine team who produce some of Australia’s most exciting wines.
It is one of only 50 vineyards in Australia that is a certified Eco Vineyard and Longview is also certified sustainable with Fresh Care Australia and with Wine Growing Australia.
We have been working with Longview for over 17 years. In the early days, we saw the amazing quality of the wines so were keen to get involved. The wines are highly accoladed now and thanks to our long-standing relationship with the Saturno family, we’re delighted we can continue to bring their wines to our customers.
Tasting
Adelaide
is elegant and balanced but still has bright red berry flavours, subtle oak and succulent acidity.
Yakka Shiraz from the cool climate
Hills
Rabl Grüner
Veltliner Löss
Kamptal, Austria
Since 2015, our winery in Langenlois has held Sustainable Austria certification, which acknowledges a responsible use of resources throughout the winemaking process. This is how sustainability is combined with wine enjoyment.
- Rudolf Rabl
Rudolf Rabl OwneratWeingutRabl
Weingut Rabl
The Rabl family have been growing grapes in the Kamptal region of northeast Austria for over 300 years and in 1946 began bottling their own wines.
Today a father and son team of Rudolf and Rudi runs the 80 hectare estate. A certified sustainable business, practicing winemaking in harmony with nature is a priority for the Rabls, who use only the best quality grapes to allow for minimum intervention winemaking.
We discovered this lovely family winery eight years ago at a wine fair in Germany. We found the fruit purity of the wines to be exceptional and knew we had to work with them. In recent years, a member of the O’Briens team moved to Austria to learn to make wine with Rudi Rabl and his family, so our connection remains as strong as ever!
Tasting Note
Fresh and lively with lots of cool green fruit before a touch of spice on the silky finish.
Leyda Sauvignon Blanc Reserva
San Antonio, Chile
We’re delighted to work with Viviana Navarrete and the Viña Leyda team. Sauvignon Blanc is an important variety and Viviana notes that Leyda Sauvignon is ‘a bit less green and more restrained than what you might find in a country like New Zealand.’
- Lynne Coyle Master of Wine, O’Briens Wine Director
Viviana Navarrete ChiefWinemaker atViñaLeyd
Viña Leyda
The sustainably certified Viña Leyda pioneered viticulture in its home of Chile’s Leyda Valley when it planted its first vineyards in 1998. Today, it is known not just for its proximity to the Pacific Ocean, but its range of beautiful wines that truly speak of where they’re from. Viña Leyda’s sustainability ethos permeates all aspects of the winery, from protecting soil and water quality to encouraging biodiversity and utilising renewable energy sources.
Our relationship with them began eight years ago, and we were particularly drawn to the estate because of its location, with vineyards a mere 4k from the Pacific. Sea breezes and morning mists control the levels of sunlight here, which in turn tempers the alcohol. This, combined with the skill of the winemaking team, results in terroir wines with beautiful elegance and freshness.
Tasting Note
Shows herbal and citrus aromas of lime, mandarin, grapefruit, and passion fruit. The palate is fresh and bright with a citrus fruit melody, crisp acidity and a juicy finish.
Regional food pairing
Grilled clams
Château La Rose du Pin
Bordeaux,
France
We have been working within a sustainable framework since 2004, and are certified by High Environmental Value (HEV). We are focused on the respect for and preservation of the vineyard environment. - Jeremy Ducourt
Jeremy Ducourt WinemakeratChâteauLa RoseduPin
Château La Rose du Pin
Back in 1965, botanist Henri Ducourt used his expert knowledge to scout out some of the finest terroir in EntreDeux-Mers in Bordeaux, France. He bought plots of vines on a remarkable clay-limestone plateau and today they are at the heart of the sustainably farmed Château La Rose du Pin.
The O’Briens team has been working with the château for eight years now and we feel this is one of our most important modern Bordeaux wines.
We discovered it on our annual trip to Bordeaux for the Christmas Bordeaux buying. We usually taste around 150 wines as we look for our special bottles for Christmas. This was one such special wine that we found that year and it remains a customer favourite vintage after vintage.
Tasting Note
Intense and rich with a harmonious blend of blueberry fruit and alluring smoky, toasted wood, and a hint of menthol. The palate is round with vibrancy and ripe tannins. Overall, nicely full-bodied, with ripe fruit and roasted coffee aromas and a long, elegant finish.
Regional food pairing French cheese platter & crusty bread
Cave de Lugny Mâcon-Lugny Grande Réserve
Burgundy, France
It was great to visit the winemaking team here in the Southern Mâconnais, and see the number of families this cooperative works with, helping getting their wines to markets around the world. As a family business, this is important to us.
- Kevin O’Brien, O’Briens Chairman
Sophie ObszynskiWinemakerat CavedeLugny
Cave de Lugny
Considered to be in the top ten of quality co-operatives in France, Cave de Lugny has been a certified sustainable winery for 10 years and holds CSR certification (certified by Afnor). The Cave de Lugny vineyards, covering some 1,200 hectares, are home to a wide variety of flora and fauna.
The co-operative system allows small grape growers access to advice and support around growing and winemaking. It also enables them to sell their wines to the cop-operative, giving small producers the vital opportunity to get their wines into customers’ hands.
We have been working with Cave de Lugny for 16 years now. Our Wine Director, Lynne Coyle Master of Wine knew of the co-op for many years and approached them to work with O’Briens, starting what has become a fabulous partnership.
Tasting Note
A 100% unoaked Chardonnay with ample peach and pear fruit, good structure and a long dry finish. This is the perfect all-round white wine to drink with or without food.
Regional food pairing
Burgundian gougère
Brocard Petit Chablis
Burgundy, France
It is trickier to follow organic farming practices in wetter and cooler climate locations such as Chablis. It is for this reason that I have the upmost admiration for Julien Brocard and his team and what they have achieved.
- Lynne Coyle Master of Wine, O’Briens Wine Director
Jean-Marc & Julien Brocard OwnersatDomaineBrocard
Domaine Brocard
The family run Domaine Brocard is located in the centre of Burgundy’s Chablis region in northeast France. Led by the father and son team of Jean-Marc and Julien Brocard, the winery is a pioneer when it comes to sustainability. Some 60 hectares of the vineyards are now certified organic, 40 hectares are biodynamic, and the family has been committed to ecological working since 1997.
Domaine Brocard is considered to be one of the top producers in Chablis and we have been working with them for over 15 years. We have followed the journey of Julien Brocard as he transformed a portion of his family’s vineyard to organic and biodynamic farming. Today, this transfer continues to make them one of our most proactive producers on the sustainability journey.
Tasting Note
Brocard Petit Chablis has the benchmark mineral note
Domaine Duffour Père et Fils
Gascony, France
For years we have been working with Domaine Duffour who would always attend our wine fairs, the wines are great value.
- Kevin O’Brien, O’Briens Chairman
Domaine Duffour
Owned and run by the Duffour family since 1955, Domaine Duffour is a 70-hectare estate in Gascony, southwest France. The region’s hot summers and cool nights allow for perfect growing conditions for the Domaine’s aromatic Colombard and Ugni-Blanc grapes and the wine offers freshness and a unique, bright aromatic profile. The estate holds High Environmental Value (HEV) environmental certification, acknowledging its efforts in promoting environmentally friendly practices, biodiversity conservation, management of fertilisers and water conservation.
We have been working with this estate for over 20 years, first with the father and now with the son, Nicolas who has taken it over. We love that an important aspect of the estate’s ethos is to farm sustainability in order to ensure the family’s legacy long into the future.
Tasting Note
Domain Duffour is made from a blend of Colombard, Gros Manseng and Ugni Blanc, it is highly aromatic and bursting with crunchy red apples, ripe tropical fruits and a fresh citrussy finish.
Regional food pairing
Rustic pâté, picked cherry tomatoes and sourdough
Nicolas Duffour DomaineOwneratDuffour
Borie de Maurel Espirit
d’Automne
Languedoc-Roussillon, France
Learning to be silent is the first job of the winemaker, in order to begin listening and to know how to stay in one’s place at the heart of a system that is beyond one’s own.
- Michel Escande
Michel Escande
OwneratBoriedeMaurel
Borie de Maurel
Borie de Maurel was established in the late 1980s by Michel Escande, who remains owner and winemaker today, working alongside his sons. Michel has devoted his career to producing the best organic wines in the region and while Borie de Maurel is certified organic now, the team have farmed biodynamically since the very beginning.
They have always worked with horses in the vineyard and have had a consistent eye on nature and climate, with Michel even earning the nickname, The Wizard of Feline for his farming practices led by lunar cycles.
We have been working together with Borie de Maurel for more than fifteen years, but our buying team has been following Michel’s work since the early 2000s. He is a true pioneer and champion of organic winemaking.
Tasting Note
It has all the rich ripe dark berried fruit expected from this winery alongside the typical black olive tapenade, spices and tobacco flavours of Minervois.
Regional food pairing
Sausage cassoulet
Château de Caraguilhes
Prestige
Languedoc-Roussillon, France
The Languedoc offers exceptional value. The combination of family single estates and the climate usually makes for consistent, interesting terroir-driven wines and Château de Caraguilhes is the perfect example of this. - Lynne Coyle Master of Wine, O’Briens Wine Director
Etienne Besanceno WinemakeratChâteaude Caraguilhes
Château de Caraguilhes
The family-owned Château de Caraguilhes is one of France’s oldest and best organic estates. It has been organic for 40 years, earning ECOCERT accreditation in 1987 and in 2020 it obtained biodynamic certification. This ethos extends throughout the estate, which is also home to olive groves and Mediterranean “garrigue” (herbal) vegetation.
Winemaker and vineyard manager, Etienne Besanceno has been with Château de Caraguilhes since 2007 and remembers hearing about O’Briens on his first day! Indeed, we have a long and happy partnership with the château and first discovered it 18 years ago at a wine fair in Montpellier, France. For us, to be able to buy a single estate, organic red wine of this quality is a real treat and is what we love about working with Château de Caraguilhes.
Tasting Note
This lush organic red is velvet smooth and brimming with rich and ripe bramble berry flavours, sweet spice and that distinctive Languedoc garrigue herbal note on the long finish, adding intrigue and layers of complexity.
Regional food pairing
Duck breast, greens and cherry sauce
Domaine de L’Ostal Grand
Vin
Languedoc-Roussillon, France
In 2019, Domaine de L’Ostal obtained “High Environmental Value” certification that covers four key areas: biodiversity conservation, plant protection strategy, management of fertiliser use and management of water. - Delphine Glangetas
Delphine Glangetas
WinemakeratDomainede L’Ostal
Domaine L’Ostal
Named after the ancient Occitan word for house, the sustainably certified Domaine de L’Ostal is owned by the Cazes family of Château Lynch-Bages fame.
Located at the foothills of the Montagne Noir in the Langeudoc, the climate here is ideal for grape growing as the grape aromas benefit from cool nights and the grapes retain acidity, resulting in an elegance and purity in the final wines.
We have been working with the Cazes family for 15 years now and believe that this estate is one of our most precious in the Languedoc region. It exemplifies the terroir, the climate and the grape varieties and the estate itself encourages biodiversity, with its large olive groves and preserved “garrigue” (herbal) vegetation.
Tasting Note
A silky, Syrah-led blend, intense with ripe bramble and dark cherry fruit, enhanced by a herbal ‘garrigue’ edge and layered with hints of black pepper, oak spice and seductive roasted notes, finishing long and sumptuous.
Regional food pairing
Warm Mediterranean vegetable terrine
Rhonéa Côtes du Rhône Légende des Toques
Rhône, France
We enjoy working with the Rhonéa team. They are dedicated artisan vignerons and winemakers and we love the modern style wines they are making. - Kevin O’Brien, O’Briens Chairman Thierry Sansot WinemakeratRhonéa
Rhonéa
Rhonéa is an exciting co-operative based in the southern Rhône Valley. It was founded in the 1920s by local families who pooled their talents to create the best conditions for making and selling wines. Now with over 300 members, it remains committed to building a more sustainable wine industry.
The co-op is a founding member of Vignerons Engagés/ Sustainable Winegrowing, the French wine industry’s first sustainable development quality label, and today 25% of its vineyards are organic or in conversion.
Here at O’Briens we have been working with Rhonéa for more than 15 years and first discovered them at a wine fair in Germany. We love the fact that they work with small local vignerons to help them grow and vinify their grapes and give them a route to market so they can sell their wines.
Tasting Note
A nose of blackcurrant and blueberries with a hint of forest floor. The palate has fleshy red fruit with spice notes and the ripe tannins bring a pleasing firmness to the finish.
Regional food pairing
Pulled pork, grilled apple and bap
Sirocco Sun Appassite
Puglia, Italy
It is important to us that along with wine quality and value, our suppliers can show their commitment to a sustainable ethos. This new addition to our range does just that. - Lynne
Coyle Master of Wine, O’Briens Wine Director
Mack & Schule
We were looking for a new Puglian red wine to include in our range and asked Mack & Schule to work with us on this project. The result is an exciting new Appassimento wine from a familyowned winery in Puglia, Italy.
The label is a nod to the sun that ripens the grapes and the Sirocco wind from the Sahara that helps to keep the grapes healthy. These days, when finding new wines and new suppliers, one of the questions we ask is: what are you doing about the environment?
A certified sustainable business, Mack & Schule operates on the belief that preserving the environment is essential for long-term success and works within United Nations Sustainability Development Targets. We’re delighted that this new partnership aligns with our values and has resulted in such a great wine.
Tasting Note
Ripe, concentrated aromas of ripe cherries and strawberries alongside a hint of vanilla and cedar spice that follow through to the rich, silky palate.
Alessio RomanazzoWinemaker
Musella Valpolicella Superiore
Veneto, Italy
In 1999, I started feeling this irresistible urge to align myself with everything around me: the land, the plants, the trees, the insects, and even the animals here at Musella. Well, it wasn’t exactly smooth sailing at first and convincing the rest of the family was like trying to teach a cat to swim!
- Maddalena Pasqua
Maddalena Pasqua Di Bisceglie Owner/WinemakeratMusella
Musella
Owned and run by the Pasqua family, Musella Winery is located in a natural park just outside Verona in northern Italy’s Veneto region. The climate here is continental and perfectly suited to growing grapes for the iconic Valpolicella Ripasso and Amarone wines of the region.
Maddalena, the energetic daughter of the family manages the vineyards and led the estate towards organic farming. We have been working with this beautiful estate for many years and have been fortunate to follow them on their journey to a more natural way of farming and winemaking.
The wines have changed over this time too and now show more freshness and balance of alcohol and the fruit character has been raised too.
Tasting Note
Organic wine made in a traditional style, with flavours of spiced cherry, plum and tea leaf, all framed by wellmeshed tannins and subtle acidity.
Romeo & Juliet Passione Passimento
Red
Veneto, Italy
We’ve just returned from the stylish Pasqua winery, where we had the pleasure of meeting the incredible team behind Romeo & Juliet. Pasqua is a strong advocate for sustainable winemaking and proudly holds Equalitas SOPD certification.
- Grattan O’Brien, O’Briens Managing Director
Umberto, Riccardo & Alessandro Pasqua OwnersatPasquaWine
Pasqua
Owned and run by the Pasqua family since 1925, this benchmark winery makes wine across Italy’s Veneto region. Starting from a conventional farm 100 years ago, Pasqua’s transition to organic has continued apace over the last 15 years.
Since 2020, sustainability has become central to every aspect of the business, from reducing waste to adopting renewable energies and creating green packaging, and it now holds the globally recognised Equalitas certification. We have been working with the Pasqua family since 2016, having first met them at a dinner in Verona.
They were launching a new contemporary portfolio and were looking for someone to bring these wines into Ireland. We love the fact that Pasqua’s wines are from a traditional region and made with local grapes but have a contemporary twist in terms of wine style and packaging.
Tasting Note
A wonderfully rich, spicy & velvet-smooth palate, this wine is made following the local Veneto ‘Passimento’ method whereby the grapes are dried prior to fermentation, which adds a silky ripe berry character.
Insight Vineyard
Sauvignon Blanc
Marlborough, New Zealand
Over the years, like many of our wineries, our passion for wine (and rugby) has led to friendship and not just business. This is one of my favourite wines in our portfolio.
- Kevin O’Brien, O’Briens Chairman
Fleur McCree OwneratInsight
Located in Marlborough’s Southern Valleys region, the family owned and run Insight Vineyard is a real star of the New Zealand wine scene and is certified under Sustainable Wine Growing New Zealand.
We love this estate as it used to be an old sheep farm and has been converted to viticulture by Fleur McCree and her partner, with a strong eye on sustainable practices. The vineyards are a welcome home for New Zealand’s tui bird and bellbird, while the native flax that grows is a valuable food source for native birds and other creatures.
Insight was introduced to our buying team over 15 years ago through an industry colleague and is a big favourite among both our team and customers. Fleur visits Ireland frequently and is a top attraction at our wine festivals!
Tasting Note
Fresh basil, capsicum and tomato leaf aromas followed by zesty red, grapefruit acidity and passionfruit on the crisp palate. An intense and complex wine from a small, quality-obsessed producer.
Regional food pairing
Grilled river trout with steamed greens and thyme
The
White Town
Alentejo, Portugal
Ramos make modern, fruit driven wines that offer very decent value. Ramos and now The White Town are two of our customer and staff go-to wines. -
Lynne
Coyle Master of Wine, O’Briens Wine Director
João Portugal Ramos Owner/Winemakerat J.PortugalRamosWines
J. Portugal Ramos Wines
J. Portugal Ramos Wines is a group of estates based in Alentejo, Portugal and is owned and run by João Portugal Ramos. His family is considered to be one of the most progressive wine companies in Portugal, renowned for putting Alentejo on the global wine map, and the estates really champions sustainable winemaking.
It has been a member of the Wines of Alentejo Sustainability Programme WASP (PSVA) since its inception but the estates also focus on things like water consumption, using lightweight glass, organic production and the protection of endangered species.
We have been working with J. Portugal Ramos Wines for over 16 years now. Their focus on native grape varieties really appealed to us, along with the resulting good value wines from this respected family producer.
Tasting Note
Ruby red colour. Aroma of red berry fruits. Soft, robust and complex tannins. Well balanced with a good long finish.
Luzon Alma Selección
Jumilla, Spain
Monastrell is a bold grape that makes expressive wines. This wine packs in layers of supple, ripe bramble fruits with herbal, earthy notes. One of our best-sellers and for good reason!
- Antonia Dominguez, O’Briens
Assistant Wine Buyer
Vicente Micó HeadWinemakeratBodega
Bodegas Luzón
One of our top-selling wineries, Bodgeas Luzón was founded in the Jumilla region of southwest Spain in 1841. It’s now owned by the Fuertes family, who have an admirable commitment to organic farming. Never having relied on pesticides or chemicals in the vineyards, organic farming was simply a natural next step for the winery, particularly in the hot, arid Jumilla climate.
Our wine team discovered Bodgeas Luzón some 15 years ago at a wine fair near Madrid. “We were immediately impressed by the passion of the Luzón team and the quality of their wine,” explains Lynne Coyle Master of Wine, O’Briens Wine Director. “We love the fact that in focusing on growing native grape varieties, Bodgeas Luzón supports a sustainable grape growing ethos.”
Tasting Note
Shows lashing of blackberry fruit, underpinned by hints of savoury black pepper, thyme, and a warm vanilla note. The tannins follow ripe and sweet, with a rich but fresh overall finish.
Regional food pairing
Iberian ham, black olives, olive oil and dipping bread
Follas Novas Albariño
Rías Baixas, Spain
The popularity of Albariño shows no sign of slowing and we love this expression from the people at Paco y Lola. An elegant, refreshing white. - Antonia Dominguez, O’Briens Assistant Wine Buyer
Diego García
VineyardsManager,PacoyLola
Paco y Lola
Founded in 2005, Paco y Lola is one of the most innovative co-operatives in Spain with over 430 members across the premium Salnés Valley.
Sustainability is at its heart, and it was the first winery in Spain to sign up to the United Nations Development Goals. It was also the first Galician winery to hold Sustainable Wineries for Climate Protection certification and has been a member of Life + Atlantic Vineyards, an innovative project aimed at minimising the use of chemicals in vineyards, since 2010.
We have been working with Pacy y Lola for 16 years now, having discovered the wines through an Irish contact living in Galicia. We developed wines exclusive to O’Briens and are delighted to be supporting small local grape growers by buying through this exciting co-op.
Tasting Note
Aromatic with bright notes of orchard fruits: peach, greengage and granny smith apple. The palate is lemon fresh and bone-dry with a refreshing zesty edge to the finish.
Regional food pairing
Grilled prawns and Padron peppers
El Holgazán Ribera del Duero
Ribera Del Duero, Spain
A new team favourite, we love this vibrant, fruit-driven style from Ribera del Duero, a region synonymous with quality reds.
- Antonia Dominguez, O’Briens
Assistant Wine Buyer
César Maté
OwneratBodgeasMartaMaté
Bodgeas Marta Maté
Bodgeas Marta Maté is a cool project started by three friends in the northeast of Ribera del Duero in Spain. The estate has a sustainable and biodiversity focus in the vineyards and a low intervention, high quality wine philosophy in the cellar.
The aim is to produce grapes of the highest quality in order to create the best possible wines and a healthy, happy environment is an essential ingredient for success. The winery team is currently working on a research and development project entitled, A Project For The Conservation Of The Plant Legacy.
Marta Maté joined the O’Briens wine family in 2024. We loved El Holgazán (The Slacker) when we tasted it for its fruit purity and elegant balance of acidity. It’s a welcome addition to our range.
Tasting Note
This Tempranillo has vibrant aromas & flavours of red & black fruit combined with a mineral & liquorice note on the palate. Medium bodied with silky tannins & a ripe fruit filled finish that has a natural freshness.
Regional food pairing
Roast lamb, green salad and
Acuro Organic Rioja Reserva
Rioja, Spain
Crafted from organically grown grapes in Rioja, this Rioja Reserva is a super example of tradition and sustainability going perfectly hand in hand. - Grattan O’Brien, O’Briens Managing Director
Santiago Garde Winemakerat BodegasdelMedievo
Bodegas del Medievo
Founded in 2002, Bodegas del Medevio was established by three farming families in Spain’s famous Rioja wine region. The goal was to combine generations-old winemaking knowledge with the most innovative production processes.
In 2014, Bodegas del Medievo took a significant step into the world of organic wines with its From Roots to the Future programme, a holistic approach that can serve as inspiration to other growers. They adopted sustainable agricultural practices in the vineyard, moving away from synthetic chemical products and promoting biodiversity.
We have worked with Bodegas del Medievo since 2022, when we were looking for an organic Rioja for our portfolio. We were drawn by the families’ focus on collaboration and innovation - along with the exceptional quality of Acuro Organic Rioja!
Tasting Note
Expect ripe red berry fruit, and sweet spice aromas. The palate offers a burst of strawberry jam, nutmeg, vanilla, and toast, before giving way to a more savoury mushroom and balsamic finish.
De Alberto Organic Verdejo
Rueda, Spain
Verdejos are great food wines; fresh, crisp and aromatic they go well with seafood, pasta and salads. This wine is great value and an alternative to Sauvignon Blanc and Albarino.
- Lynne Coyle Master of Wine, O’Briens Wine Director
De Alberto
Combining tradition and innovation, the Gutiérrez family have been producing wines in Spain’s Rueda DO for five generations. Its Bodegas De Alberto is housed in a stunning 350-year-old winery, complete with a kilometre of subterranean ageing cellars.
The O’Briens wine team discovered de Alberto Verdejo while visiting a wine fair in Madrid, where it made for a delicious accompaniment to tapas dishes! “We loved its freshness and intensity and it was great value for money,” explains Lynne Coyle Master of Wine, O’Briens Wine Director.
“We had to meet the family company behind the wine and we have been working with them for ten years now. For us, the icing on the cake is that the wine is now certified organic.
Tasting Note
The wine is brilliant straw in colour with vibrant varietal aromas of aniseed, fennel and stone fruit. The palate has good structure, crisp acidity and an intense, lingering finish.
Carmen San Martín WinemakeratDeAlberto
Kendall-Jackson Vintner’s Reserve Chardonnay
California, USA
Working with Master Somellier Dimitri Meynard and his team at Jackson Family Wines, we have always been impressed with the range, quality and deapth of their portfolio. - Kevin O’Brien, O’Briens Chairman
Randy Ullom HeadWinemakeratJackson FamilyWines
Jackson Family Wines
Founded by Jess Jackson in 1982, California’s Jackson Family Wines is one of the largest wineries in America. It’s particularly known for its excellent oaked Chardonnay and Vintner’s Reserve has been the best-selling Californian Chardonnay for the past 25 years.
Sustainability is a core tenet of the estate, and the family’s aims are laid out in the Rooted for Good: Roadmap to 2030, covering areas such as tackling greenhouse gas emissions, social responsibility and transitioning to regenerative farming practices.
Jackson Family Wines are our biggest partners from the US and we have been working with them for a decade now. We stock a range of estate wines as well as the Kendall Jackson range and they really showcase the high quality of Californian wines.”
Tasting Note
Shows beautifully integrated tropical fruit flavours married to notes of vanilla, honey and toast from fermentation in oak barrels, creating a rich depth of flavour that is balanced by a line of refreshing acidity.
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Penfolds
South Australia, Australia
Peter Gago ChiefWinemakeratPenfolds
Penfolds
Widely regarded as Australia’s most iconic wine name, Penfolds was founded in 1844 by Dr Christopher Penfold and his wife Mary at the Magill Estate near Adelaide, South Australia.
Today, led by chief winemaker Peter Gago, Penfolds farms some of the finest vineyards across South Australia’s most famous wine regionsfamiliar names like the Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale and Eden Valley. It has an admirable commitment to sustainability across the business. The Penfolds’ Evermore project supports initiatives that make a positive contribution towards future generations, their places, communities and people.
Here at O’Briens, we are very proud to be representing Penfolds Wines Ireland and have been working with them for the last four years. Penfolds showcases premium winemaking from Australia and were a natural fit for our Australian portfolio.
All wines in our brochure are subject to availability. Offers will end on 5th March, 2025. This document remains the intellectual property of O’Briens. No part of the document can be copied and/or distributed without the written consent of O’Briens.
Note: You must be over 18 to purchase any of the products in this catalogue. Please enjoy alcohol sensibly.
