Somontano’s Secret: Bodega Laus Delivers Quality Spanish Wine on a Budget

When I tell you I found a hidden gem, I mean it. Forget the $50-plus bottles of familiar Spanish imports for a minute and turn your eyes toward Aragón. Specifically, the D.O. Somontano, where the relatively young Bodega Laus is producing wines that are high-quality, deeply terroir-driven, and, crucially for my budget wine philosophy, incredibly affordable.

My journey to this winery, nestled in the foothills of the Pyrenees, Huesca, Spain, a hop skip away from the French border started, as all modern love affairs do, on the Instagram feed. A colleague’s post was so striking, so full of that Mediterranean sun I crave, that I had to reach out. What followed was a truly generous collaboration, one that required a detour to Greece—thanks to the labyrinthine regulations of direct shipping to an individual in the States (a total mess, I tell you). But let me be plain: the samples they sent, a staggering six bottles, were an unexpected and delightful shock. The quality-to-price ratio is frankly, ridiculous.

I’m thrilled to introduce this winery to you, not just because I appreciate their generosity, but because their wines represent exactly what I champion: great value wine that tastes like it should cost three times as much.

Finding Somontano: Why This Spanish Region is Your New Budget Darling

We all love Rioja and Ribera del Duero—they’re the household names. But if you’re a serious student of budget-friendly wine, you know the real thrill is in the discovery of a lesser-known appellation that hasn’t yet caught the attention of global markets and driven prices sky-high.

Somontano, the Denominación de Origen (D.O.) where Laus resides, is exactly that. It means “under the mountain,” and the climate here is a fascinating mashup. It gets cold enough for the grapes to retain vital acidity, but is sun-drenched enough for them to achieve beautiful ripeness. This unique balance results in wines that feel both fresh and full-bodied.

What’s particularly exciting about Laus, founded in 2002, is their Mediterranean approach. While they work with international grapes like Chardonnay and Syrah, they manage to imbue them with an undeniable Spanish soul. The red, the white, the Rosé—they all speak of sun-drenched fruit, herbs, and a clean, invigorating minerality. Think about the complexity you usually have to pay a pretty penny for; Laus delivers that soul without the exorbitant price tag. This D.O. is truly a bangladesh of flavor and quality waiting to be uncorked.

My First Tastes: A Trio of Affordable Mediterranean Joy

I’ve been working my way through the samples, and already three bottles have vanished. Here’s a quick peek at the quality and style you can expect from Bodega Laus, all of which sing with clear Mediterranean flavors:

• The Young Red (Tinto Joven): This is the ultimate tapas wine. Youthful, juicy, and un-oaked, it’s all about the primary fruit—ripe cherry and wild berry. It’s silky on the palate with a fresh acidity that makes it dangerously easy to drink. If your goal is to have a weeknight red wine that never disappoints, look no further.
• The Chardonnay: Often, affordable Chardonnay can be flabby or over-oaked. Not here. The Laus Chardonnay is elegant and complex, showing off bright citrus notes alongside hints of tropical fruit (pineapple, banana). It’s carefully made, with cold maceration to preserve those vibrant fruit aromas, resulting in a white wine that pairs as beautifully with white fish as it does with a bowl of pasta.
• The Rosé (Syrah/Garnacha Blend): Rosé should taste like the best parts of summer, and this bottle does. The blend of Syrah and Garnacha (Grenache) gives it a lovely structure and depth, but it keeps that essential freshness. It’s dry, savory, and full of red fruit, making it perfect for year-round enjoyment, not just when the weather’s warm.

The common thread? They are all honest, direct, and shockingly high-quality wines for the value.

A Call to Importers: Bringing Somontano’s Value to the U.S.

This brings me to the next, and most crucial, part of this post. Laus Winery is eager to enter the U.S. market, and frankly, we, the discerning wine consumers who seek out quality and value, desperately need them here.

I am trying to help them bridge that gap. If you are an importer, distributor, or anyone with connections to the U.S. wine trade who believes in showcasing authentic, budget-friendly Spanish wine that over-delivers—please, reach out. The American palate is ready for this level of quality from Somontano, and the value is simply unbeatable.

You can learn more about their portfolio on their website: Bodegalaus.com

I’ll be sharing detailed reviews of these wines in the coming weeks, but for now, keep Bodega Laus and Somontano D.O. on your radar. This is the new wave of Spanish wine value, and you want to be the first to know.