La Rioja Alta

La Rioja Alta was formed in 1890 as a partnership of 5 quality-conscious growers keen to exploit the export potential for well-made, ‘modern’ Rioja. At this time, French vineyards were ravaged by phylloxera, and connoisseurs were having to look elsewhere for supplies of fine wine. Rioja, with its excellent climate and soils, had already attracted attention, and experiments with Bordeaux-style vinification and barrique-aging were proving very successful. The region’s only real disadvantage was its remoteness, cut off from the lucrative markets to the north by the same mountains that ensured its favorable climate. This problem was solved by construction of the rail link to Bilbao, and it is no coincidence that Bodegas La Rioja Alta was established next to the Haro railway station in the same year it opened. In 1904, La Rioja Alta absorbed Bodegas Ardanza and in doing so gained access to some of the finest vineyards in the Rioja Alta district. 

The company now owns 300 hectares of vineyards in different parts of the best zones of the Rioja Alta region. The leading grape variety is the Tempranillo with small doses of Mazuelo and Graciano. The wines are made using traditional methods to maintain the unique Rioja style : After vinification, aging is in traditional Bordeaux casks, all made from American oak. Racking is by hand every 6 months and there is no filtration prior to bottling. Wines are aged further in bottle before release.

The amount of time in cask and bottle varies but all La Rioja Alta wines display a wonderful rich ruby color, gorgeous aromas and flavors of oak, spices and fruit, a wonderful smooth texture, and a long lingering finish. All are ready for consumption on release but will keep for many more years in bottle. 

With more than 50,000 casks and 6.4 million bottles stored at any one time, La Rioja Alta S.A. is unique in its ability to supply large quantities of fully mature wines of world class quality.