La Rioja Alta

Founded in 1890, La Rioja Alta is one of this great Spanish region’s icons. Celebrated for the bodega’s twin Gran Reservas (890 and 904) and trio of Reservas, these are long-lived and traditionally-styled Riojas that remain at the pinnacle of the region’s production. Phenomenally age-worthy, and astonishing value, these are Riojas fit to grace any cellar.

The names of three of the five founding families – the Aranas, the Ardanzas and the Alberdis – are now celebrated on each of the Reserva wines. But despite its preservation of such heritage, there is a contemporary approach – in 1996 a new purpose-built winery in Labastida was completed, focussing on improving quality and enabling the purest expressions of fruit to be showcased in the wines. Oak remains at the heart of the ageing process, however, and La Rioja Alta boasts its own in-house cooperage to produce its own barrels from wood imported from the US and air-dried on site. Traditional manual racking takes place by candlelight every six months, and the vines are sustainably farmed. Phenomenally ageworthy, and astonishing value, these are Riojas fit to grace any cellar, and consistently receive accolades worldwide – in 2022, La Rioja Alta, S.A. was declared the ‘World’s Fourth Most Admired Wine Brand’ by Drinks International.