history
A legacy of tradition and flavour in the heart of Rioja Alavesa
Bodeguilla Lanciego is built on a heritage of authenticity and effort, inherited from the Nuestra Señora del Campo Cooperative, founded in 1951 in the picturesque village of Lanciego, in the heart of Rioja Alavesa. In a land of humble origins, 69 brave winegrowers came together to face economic challenges and preserve the winemaking tradition.
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From the very beginning, the work in the cooperative was arduous and entirely manual. In the 1950s, the grape harvest in Lanciego began at dawn, when the winegrowers went out into the fields before the sun rose. The grapes were collected by hand and placed in large, sturdy baskets that were then loaded onto horses or mules for the long journey to the cooperative.
From the beginning, the work in the cooperative was a reflection of community unity: entire families were involved in the grape harvesting process, hand-picking each bunch and transporting it to the cooperative over long days.
It was in 1959 when Pepe Ocio and María Querejazu, with an entrepreneurial spirit, brought Lanciego wine to Vitoria, opening La Bodeguilla. This modest warehouse in the emerging Judimendi neighbourhood soon became a point of reference, offering bulk wine and connecting the city with the rich tradition of its land of origin.
La Bodeguilla, located near the old Vasco-Navarro railway, expanded thanks to the growing affection of its customers. After its initial success, Pepe and María bought the business from the cooperative and transformed it into what is today the emblematic Bodeguilla Lanciego restaurant, always maintaining the warmth and simplicity of a space rooted in tradition.
In its early days, the restaurant was located on the other side of the tracks of the old Basque-Navarrese railway, on Olaguibel Street in Vitoria. At that time, this narrow-gauge railway connected different areas of the Basque Country and Navarre, passing through Vitoria until its closure in 1967. This line had a level crossing on Olaguibel Street, in the Judimendi neighbourhood, where the restaurant's original premises are located. The railway infrastructure was not only part of the environment, but also divided the areas of the city and marked a physical border that no longer exists due to its dismantling and urbanisation in the following decades.
Bodeguilla Lanciego, under the direction of José María Ocio, has evolved with the times, maintaining the essence of local cuisine. With an authentic and quality offering, the restaurant has become a meeting point for all sectors of Vitorian society, earning the affection and loyalty of its people.
Today, the third generation, trained at the prestigious Basque Culinary Center, takes Bodeguilla Lanciego's heritage to the next level. With contemporary techniques and an innovative vision, they continue to elevate the gastronomic tradition of Rioja Alavesa, respecting local flavours but with a fresh and modern presentation.
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Bodeguilla Lanciego is, more than ever, a living tribute to history and to those who have paved this path. In every dish and in every glass of wine, the essence of a region and the passion of a family that, for more than six decades, has managed to keep alive the authenticity of the wine and gastronomic legacy of Rioja Alavesa.