i. Biography
Andrew Halliwell is the winemaker at Bodegas Obalo in Ábalos, Rioja Alta, Spain, where the title is enólogo gerente, general manager winemaker. Originally from Manchester, he came to wine and Spain in his early 20s, and that move set the terms of the work: curiosity directed into study, and study directed into a region where vineyard decisions still define the outcome.
The Climb
Training at University of Oxford and University of Adelaide gave Andrew Halliwell the academic base that underpins his work in wine. That background matters less as pedigree than as structure: it brought discipline to the shift from classroom to cellar, and it reinforced the practical reality that every vintage imposes its own conditions. At Bodegas Obalo, he holds the role of enólogo gerente (general manager winemaker), positioning him across vineyard, cellar and the wider operation of the estate.
Today
As general manager winemaker at the winery, Andrew Halliwell works in Rioja Alta, a region where tradition and change are in constant negotiation. The job remains rooted in the vineyard, and his perspective reflects that balance: respect for the defining rules of Rioja, paired with attention to the possibilities now opening within it.
Signature
Andrew Halliwell's signature wines include Óbalo Blanco, Óbalo Rosado, La Tarara, Óbalo La Encina, and Óbalo Las Arenas. The list shows the breadth of his cellar work: white, rosé, and the named expressions that carry the Bodegas Obalo identity through different registers. In each case, the emphasis is on detail, place and the estate's own character.
In Their Words “Rioja is "currently at a very interesting phase, thanks to all the possibilities that are currently emerging, whilst remaining fully focused on the vineyard".” “The ageing capacity of classic riojas is unsurpassed.”
Recognition
"The ageing capacity of classic riojas is unsurpassed." Andrew Halliwell's statement is plainspoken, but it lands on a central trade point: classic Rioja has durability, and its future depends on preserving the vineyard focus that has long supported it. At Bodegas Obalo, his work reads as stewardship of that balance, with patience and precision still carrying weight.
Profile updated July 2026
FAQ
Asked of Andrew
What is Andrew Halliwell's current role?
As of 2026, Andrew Halliwell is Winemaker.
Where did Andrew Halliwell train or study?
Andrew Halliwell trained at University of Oxford and University of Adelaide.
