This September, RIHGA Royal Hotel Kyoto's Kaiseki French Cuisine Gourmand Tachibana will host a one-night-only maker's dinner with Marqués de Murrieta, one of Rioja's oldest, longest-established wineries. On September 26, 2026 (Saturday), owner Vicente Dalmau Cebrián-Sagarriga and Asia-Pacific export director Alberto Fernández will join guests for an evening centered on the winery's wines.
Founded in 1775 as Rioja's first winery, Marqués de Murrieta has carried on its winemaking traditions for more than 250 years, crafting wines that showcase the region's terroir. Its Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial 2010 was ranked No. 1 on Wine Spectator's "Top 100 of 2020," cementing the winery's international reputation.
Vicente Dalmau Cebrián-Sagarriga took over management of Marqués de Murrieta from his father in 1996 at the age of 26. Since then, he has balanced tradition with innovation in the vineyard and cellar, growing Marqués de Murrieta into a globally recognized winery.
Also joining the dinner will be Alberto Fernández, the winery's export director for the Asia-Pacific region. Over the course of the evening at Kaiseki French Cuisine Gourmand Tachibana, guests will enjoy conversation with both men alongside five wines, including the rare Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial 2012 — produced only in exceptional vintages — and the Dalmau Tinto Reserva 2020, named after the owner himself.
Cebrián-Sagarriga will speak about the winery's history, his approach to winemaking, Rioja's terroir, and the winery's viticulture and cellar practices, giving guests a rare chance to hear directly from the winemaker behind these internationally acclaimed wines.
Chef Atsushi Nagasawa of Kaiseki French Cuisine Gourmand Tachibana has designed a special course exclusively for the evening to complement the wines. Built around letting the character of each wine shine through, the pairing brings together the winemaker's words, the chef's cooking, and the wines for a one-of-a-kind evening.
"Marqués de Murrieta Maker's Dinner" Event Overview
- Venue: Kaiseki French Cuisine Gourmand Tachibana (basement 1F)
- Seating: Counter seats only
- Date: September 26, 2026 (Saturday)
- Time: Doors open at 6:00 PM, with dinner starting at 6:30 PM
- Capacity: Limited to 15 guests
- Price: ¥30,000 per person (tax and service charge included)
- Wine: One glass of each wine is served per guest
- Reservations: Required by the day before the event
- Details: https://www.rihga.co.jp/kyoto/restaurant/fair_list/marques-de-murrieta-makers-dinner-2026
- Dress code: Smart casual
Menu
- Four kinds of tapas (escabeche, jamón serrano, tortilla, croquetas) paired with Pazo de Barrantes Albariño 2022
- Foie gras and chestnut empanada paired with Rioja Murrieta 2021
- Grilled Iberico pork with amontillado sauce paired with Dalmau Tinto Reserva 2020
- Seafood ajillo paired with Capellanía Blanco Reserva 2020
- Kuroge Wagyu misuji fricandeau with Kyoto vegetables paired with Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial 2012
- Crema catalana with seasonal fruit
- Bread
- Coffee
Guest Profiles
Vicente Dalmau Cebrián-Sagarriga (Owner, Marqués de Murrieta)
He studied economics, business, and law at the University of Navarra while working at his family's winery, taking charge of the export departments of Marqués de Murrieta and Pazo de Barrantes early in his career. In 1996, at age 26, he took over management of Marqués de Murrieta Estates & Wines. Since then, working alongside his sister Cristina, he has modernized the historic winery's vineyards and winemaking while expanding its international reach, establishing Marqués de Murrieta as a globally respected producer. He has also contributed to the development of Albariño wine at Pazo de Barrantes, his family's winery in Galicia. In recognition of his achievements, he has received numerous honors, including the Order of the 2nd of May from the Community of Madrid.
Alberto Fernández (Asia-Pacific Export Director, Marqués de Murrieta)
Born in Barcelona, Spain, in December 1973, he is one of the veteran ambassadors for Spanish wine in Asia and Oceania, having spent more than 25 years bringing Spain's leading wines to the finest palates and tables across the region. In July 2022, he was awarded the Cross of the Order of Civil Merit by the King of Spain in recognition of his contribution to promoting Spanish culture.
The dinner is held in cooperation with Enoteca Co., Ltd., a wine specialist founded in 1988 that sources wines from producers around the world and operates wine shops, e-commerce, and B2B and international businesses, building relationships with leading producers globally.
Menu details may change depending on ingredient availability.
