Quality /

Qualified Designation of Origin.

Set in the Ebro Valley and protected by the Cantabrian mountains to the north and the Sierra de la Demanda to the south. The designation covers the regions of La Rioja, the Basque Country and Navarra.

A total of 291 million kg of grapes per year; vineyards in hectares:

~ Rioja Alavesa: 12,050 ha
~ Rioja Alta: 24,457 ha
~ Rioja Baja: 20,907 ha

The variety of natural factors has separated the designation into three areas with different characteristics:

~ Rioja Alavesa: Uneven calcareous lands, ideal for growing vines; short summers and warm winters; vineyards protected by the Cantabrian mountains. Both the young and oak-aged red wines made in this area are of high quality.

~ Rioja Alta: Moderate continental climate, influenced by the Cantabrian; calcareous, clay soils on even ground.

~ Rioja Baja: A drier climate, influenced by the Mediterranean; very fertile, ferrous and clayey soils that produce abundant harvests.

Classic reds, bright colour, penetrating bouquet, smooth in the mouth and medium volume; the whites are pale, fine, light and low volume.

Tempranillo and Viura.

Malvasía, Garnacha and Mazuelo.

~ Crianza: 2 years after the harvest and at least 12 months in wood.

~ Reserva: 3 years after the harvest and at least 12 months in wood.

~ Gran reserva: 3 years after the harvest and at least 24 months in wood.