La Rioja AltaRioja, Spain

La Rioja Alta – Over 130 Years Defining Fine Rioja

Few wineries capture the essence of classic Rioja with the same authority and heritage as La Rioja Alta. Founded in 1890 in Haro’s historic Barrio de la Estación by five families from Rioja and the Basque Country, La Rioja Alta has been a benchmark for traditional Rioja winemaking for over a century. The estate’s philosophy has remained remarkably consistent: crafting elegant, age-worthy wines that blend tradition with a quiet, steady evolution toward modern excellence.

The historic merger with Bodega Ardanza in 1904 gave rise to one of Spain’s most enduring labels, commemorated today in the Gran Reserva 904. Through generations, La Rioja Alta has remained committed to its founding values of craftsmanship, patience, and respect for terroir, producing some of the region’s most iconic wines.

The Vineyards of La Rioja Alta: Terroir, Sustainability, and Precision
La Rioja Alta’s reputation is underpinned by its 400 hectares of vineyards, spread across Rioja’s finest terroirs. The estate focuses primarily on Tempranillo, the backbone of its classic style, with smaller plantings of Graciano, Garnacha, and Mazuelo adding complexity and character.

Meticulous attention is paid to limiting yields to just 5,000 kg per hectare, ensuring concentration and balance in the fruit. Sustainability is woven into the fabric of the viticulture: 16 hectares are certified organic, and the estate employs renewable energy and natural pest control to minimise environmental impact. These vineyards are the source of the depth, purity, and structure that define La Rioja Alta’s wines.

Craftsmanship in the Cellar: A Commitment to Time and Tradition

What sets La Rioja Alta apart is its uncompromising dedication to craftsmanship, particularly its mastery of oak. The estate produces its own American oak barrels, around 30,000 annually, using traditional coopering methods. Each stave is seasoned for two years before being crafted into barrels by the in-house team, ensuring consistency and quality across vintages.

Ageing is performed with meticulous care: wines are racked manually by candlelight every six months, a laborious but essential practice that respects tradition while ensuring clarity and purity in the wines. Extended maturation is key — both in barrel and bottle — to achieve the maturity, balance, and complexity that define La Rioja Alta’s house style.

La Rioja Alta is widely regarded as a benchmark for traditional Rioja, producing wines that consistently earn high praise from critics like Robert Parker and the Peñin Guide. The Gran Reservas, in particular, are celebrated for their balance of maturity, freshness, and longevity, a hallmark of Rioja’s golden age carried forward with integrity.

The house’s style remains anchored in tradition and terroir, offering wines that age beautifully while speaking to the unique landscapes of Rioja.

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The Wines of La Rioja Alta:

Gran Reserva 890

The flagship of the estate, Gran Reserva 890 is released only in the finest vintages. Aged for 6-8 years in barrel and another 6 years in bottle, it is a masterclass in Rioja’s potential for longevity, offering profound depth, savoury complexity, and remarkable finesse.

Gran Reserva 904

Created to celebrate the 1904 merger with Ardanza, Gran Reserva 904 sees 4-5 years in barrel and 4 years in bottle. Silky, aromatic, and elegantly mature, it exemplifies the estate’s balanced approach to tradition and time.

Viña Ardanza

A blend of Tempranillo and Garnacha, Viña Ardanza is a hallmark of classic Rioja style, offering layers of red fruit, spice, and savoury development through extended ageing. It remains one of Spain’s most recognised and loved wines.

Viña Arana Gran Reserva

Recently elevated to Gran Reserva status, Viña Arana combines Tempranillo and Mazuelo in a more approachable, refined style. It bridges tradition and accessibility, delivering freshness alongside classic maturity.