Carlos Rodriguez
Spain
Carlos's Wines
- Spain
- 12 wines
- 5 styles
From humble farming roots to 'Mr Rioja': meet Naked's favourite Spaniard
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Before joining the Naked family, Carlos Rodriguez was a leading consultant oenologist. In plain English? He travelled all over Spain helping other people make their wines taste amazing. Despite his success, his ultimate dream was to fund his own winery – although he used to joke he’d need to rob a bank to get the cash.
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His life changed in 2010 when someone forwarded him an email from us. He almost deleted it thinking it was spam, but luckily he didn’t and, as he puts it, "the rest is history". Carlos became a Naked legend and achieved the dream he always thought impossible – opening his own winery and making his own wines. All because of people like you.
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Best known for his knock-out Riojas, Carlos uses his insider knowledge from years spent on the road to snaffle up the absolute best parcels of grapes Spain has to offer. And when he isn't crafting those award-winning Riojas? He swaps his winemaking hat for "dad duty," spending his weekends cheering on his kids at the football pitch.
Vineyard Location
Carlos Rodriguez's Story
A family legacy from the roots up
If you want to understand where Carlos Rodriguez comes from, you have to look at his hands – oh, and take a look at his grandfather’s old ID card. Under the section marked Profession, it doesn't say "Enologist", "Director" or "Winemaker". It simply reads: Land worker.
"I’m a village boy, born and raised in a rural area where farming has been the way of life for all my ancestors, from the apes to me," Carlos smiles. "My father produced vine plants, my grandpa did too... I started helping them when I was 14 to earn a little pocket money. That was my first contact with the wine world. I started from the roots – quite literally."
Carlos grew up in Larraga, a small village in Navarra that happens to be one of Spain’s most crucial hubs for vine nurseries. Here, young vine buds are grafted onto American rootstocks to give them the strength to thrive. Winemaking wasn't a lofty art form discussed over white tablecloths; it was dirty, back-breaking work rooted in generational grit.
His parents made immense sacrifices so Carlos could become the very first university-educated member of the family. Naturally, he chose Agronomy. The countryside was written into his DNA, and no classroom could pull him away from the dirt.
"Poisoned with passion" in Friuli
After graduating, Carlos headed to Friuli in northern Italy – a region world-renowned for its crisp, elegant whites – with a very practical goal in mind. He went to Rauscedo, the epicentre of global vine nursery production, intending to master the science of growing vine plants.
He got his education, sure. (In fact, he’s been working alongside an Italian nursery since 2001). But Italy had a Trojan horse waiting for him.
"While I was there, I was poisoned with the passion for wine too," he admits. "I think my experience in Friuli is one of the reasons why my own white wines have always been so well recognised. But more than that, it made me realise I didn't just want to grow the vines. I wanted to see what happened when the grapes met the glass."
Hooked on the magic of the cellar, he returned to Spain and immediately enrolled at the University of Rioja to study winemaking. It was the official start of a journey that would span thirteen years of academic study across three different universities – and build a bridge between centuries-old farming wisdom and cutting-edge science.
Two cornerstones and a partner in crime
Carlos’ winemaking philosophy is anchored by two solid pillars: modern scientific knowledge and deep ancestral respect.
"On one side, I have countless generations of farmers with the countryside in their DNA," he explains. "On the other, my background as an agronomist and winemaker. Science and tradition are my two cornerstones. I want my wines to be enjoyable, evocative and exciting – to reflect the legacy of a place, its history, and its future."
He isn't walking that path alone, either. Standing right beside him is his wife, Emi.
"My right hand is my wife, Emi. She’s an agronomist and a winemaker too," Carlos says. "In fact, we met 25 years ago while studying winemaking in Rioja. We work together, and she is involved in absolutely everything."
Together, they focus on showcasing Spain’s indigenous treasures – Tempranillo, Albariño, Garnacha, and Viura. These native grape varieties are living relics of Spanish culture, handed down like heirloom furniture. For Carlos and Emi, making wine from these vines isn't just a job; it’s a solemn duty to protect history for the next generation.
The spam email that changed everything
By 2010, Carlos had the talent, the pedigree, and the fire in his belly – but in the wine industry, grit doesn't always guarantee a breakthrough.
"I'm a small fish in this business," Carlos says with characteristic humility. "I come from a humble family. I didn't inherit a winery, vineyards, or money. What I inherited was an education, and above all, a culture of hard work and sacrifice. But hard work alone doesn't open doors unless the right opportunity comes along."
That opportunity arrived in March 2010 in the most unglamorous way possible: an email that looked suspiciously like spam.
It had been forwarded by a friend in Utah, who got it from a chap named Ryan in Barcelona. The message was simple:
"We're Naked Wines, an online wine retailer in the UK, and we're looking for young, independent and talented Spanish winemakers to work with us. If you think you fit the profile, get in touch."
Carlos took a gamble and hit reply. Over fifteen years later, that "spam email" has transformed into one of the longest, most fruitful partnerships in Naked history.
From the soil to the Angels
If you’ve ever met Carlos on our Tasting Tour, you’ll know his energy is infectious. For him, winemaking is a full, continuous loop – and the Angels are an essential part of it.
"My favourite part of my job is that I take care of the whole circle, from planting the vines to pouring glasses of wine during the tour, face-to-face with our Angels," Carlos says. "I might not always remember everyone's name, but I always remember their faces. Some Angels I first met almost 15 years ago! Life changes – we’ve had children, lost parents, lived through so much. It’s a beautiful feeling to know these people have become part of my life, and I’ve become part of theirs."
Cooking, kids, and local pitches
When he’s not tending to vines or checking on fermentations, where will you find Carlos? Most likely in the kitchen…
"I’m actually quite a good cook," he laughs. "Calling myself a chef is too much, but I cook every day using local, seasonal ingredients. I love feeling that I cook the way my mother did, just as she learned from my grandmother. Taking care of the people you love with good food is one of the most beautiful ways to show them your love every single day."
…or standing on the sidelines of a muddy football pitch, where his time is completely hijacked by his daughter and son.
"With both of them playing football, my regular hobby has genuinely become football!" he chuckles. "Training sessions, weekend matches... sometimes I think it’s turned into my second full-time job!"
The dream of a lifetime: ARRIALAI
After 25 years in the wine trade, Carlos and Emi are embarking on what he calls "the project of our lives."
It’s called ARRIALAI – a tiny, boutique winery nestled in the historic village of Elciego in Rioja. And it is an absolute stunner. The top floor of the building dates back to the 1930s, while hidden beneath it lies an extraordinary underground cellar carved out in the 16th century.
"It's been a dream for many years – I've been in love with this building for a long time," Carlos beams. "It’s a historic piece of our wine culture that now gets a second life. On the vineyard side, we aren't looking for a massive footprint. We’re looking for absolute gems."
Their first vineyard sits in San Vicente de la Sonsierra – one of the most prized locations in Rioja. And the idea behind it is a simple but beautiful solution to a modern problem.
As older local growers retire without children to take over, Carlos and Emi are stepping in to rescue and nurture their ancient plots. It gives historic, forgotten vines a second chance to shine – and gives Angels a taste of pure Spanish heritage, crafted by a village boy who never forgot his roots.
