Marta Besga

Coming Up

The role at Castillo de Mendoza has been Marta Besga’s fixed post since 2003, with winemaking and vineyard management moving together in the same line of work. At this stage, the craft is less about entry and more about continuity: keeping the estate’s vineyards and wines aligned over time.

Where They Are Now

Organic farming is the frame Besga uses to describe the work at Castillo de Mendoza. For her, the point is not simply cultivation without chemicals, but managing vine health, cost, and output without compromising quality. The scale question is part of that same approach. Besga sets organic wine against expansion for its own sake, putting quality ahead of acreage as the measure that matters. Hiring, too, is treated as part of the operation rather than a separate concern. Besga has said the estate chose to hire only women, and she presents that decision as a matter of performance in the work itself.

Career - Winemaker — Castillo de Mendoza, San Vicente de la Sonsierra, La Rioja, Spain (2003–present) - Winemaker and vineyard manager — Castillo de Mendoza, San Vicente de la Sonsierra, La Rioja, Spain (2003–present)

Signature

Marta's signature wines include Chirimendo, Noralba, Evento, Vitarán Blanco Cepas Viejas 2014, and Noralba Crianza Ecológico.

In Their Words “I take on the hiring functions as well, and although we have also worked very well with men, we made the decision to hire only women for the simple reason that they work better.” “The great challenge of organic wine is to bet on quality, not on the number of hectares cultivated.”

FAQ What is Marta Besga's current role? She is a winemaker at Castillo de Mendoza. Where did Marta Besga work before? No earlier role is listed. What awards has Marta Besga received? None are named.