Villamayor de Monjardin It is a Navarrese town of barely 120 inhabitants halfway between Pamplona and Logroño, located just ten kilometers from Estella.
It’s very close to other cities of the Tierra Estella region who made the news, such as the case of Abáigar with a pot skewer that triumphs at the pool bar during the summer months.
Villamayor de Monjardin It is closely linked to the castle located at the top of the town, at almost 900 meters above sea level, which was conquered by the Navarrese king Sancho Garcés from the Muslims in 908. Today it still preserves its structure and can be visited.
The name of the castle was taken by a family to name its wine estate in 1988, managed by the couple formed by Sonia Olano de la Lama and Victor del Villar Tolosa. In 1995 they opened the restaurant which became a reference in Navarre.
It has a large garden with spectacular views of the San Esteban Valley, very popular for weddings, communions and banquets. His sons Victor and Santiago take over as wine director and engineer. Additionally, there is a chef at the restaurant. Leo Cazeneuve And Daniela Gazzaniga as room manager.
They work from Thursday to Sunday with a tasting menu at 55 euros per person. This is a tasting of six dishes accompanied by six wines selected by the cellar sommelier. Each dish is accompanied by a different wine from the estate, making it a perfect pairing.
This summer the tasting menu is as follows: welcome aperitif and sparkling Rosado Brut Nature. Navarra Vegetables and White Chardonnay 2023. Game Raviolon and Pinot Noir 2017. Great Vintage
Cantabrian hake and white Viura Especial 2019. Duck breast and liver with Tempranillo Especial Reserva 2017. Fine pastry and sparkling Chardonnay Gran Reserva.
As for the cellar, it was the first in our country to carry out the night harvest enjoy the cool of the night; as well as enhancing the aromas of Chardonnay and red grapes intended for rosé, traditionally produced by the saignée method.
Another factor that makes Castillo de Monjardin a reference winery is its commitment to the environment, which is reflected in the construction of the “Green Filter”, a pioneering waste collection and water reuse system.
In 1988, she was a pioneer in Navarre in the Chardonnay plantation. Furthermore, She was one of the first to introduce Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. It was the first winery to use trellis plantings with: north-south alignments for good sunlight for the grapes, a ground height of 65 centimeters to avoid diseases.
They also offer the possibility of visit and tasting of the wine estate, before tasting the menu. It costs ten euros per person, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday to Sunday.
