Some people open restaurants.
Ángel creates places people never forget.
Owner of La Vieja Bodega in Casalarreina, Ángel Pérez is a natural host, a global traveller and a lifelong lover of great food and exceptional wine. His world has always been shaped by movement — cultures explored, tables shared, stories collected across continents — and every journey finds its way back to Rioja.
Charismatic and endlessly curious, Ángel blends the soul of an artist with the mind of an innovator. He speaks about gastronomy the way others speak about memories — vividly, generously, with feeling. A passionate ambassador of Rioja, he is deeply knowledgeable in the history of Haro, local culinary traditions and wines from around the world.
La Vieja Bodega reflects that spirit.
What was once a historic winery has been thoughtfully transformed into one of Rioja Alta’s most distinctive dining destinations, recommended by the prestigious Michelin Guide. Stone walls hold centuries of stories. Dining rooms glow with warmth and character. And more than ten metres below ground lies a hidden treasure.
Descend into the ancient cellar and you’ll find a private sanctuary where time slows. Here, Ángel hosts intimate tastings of remarkable wines — some over 50 years old — pairing each glass with stories gathered over a lifetime of travel, friendship and devotion to the craft. It’s not simply a wine tasting in Rioja. It’s an encounter with living history.
Hospitality runs in his blood. The son of an international merchant and brother to a renowned restaurateur in San Sebastián, Ángel grew up surrounded by the rhythms of global trade, conversation and the art of welcoming others. Yet those close to him say he is something more: a person of light, someone whose presence elevates the room.
