AUTOCHTHONOUS RIOJAN GRAPES
This is our commitment to what is genuine, to the native varieties that have been grown in La Rioja. While this region has always been a land of great white wines, its production declined due to the huge demand for red wines during the second half of the 20th century. Three of these varieties can be found in our vineyards, and they are the raw material upon which we produce our wines.
TEMPRANILLO
Thought to be native to La Rioja, it is the most characteristic variety of this Denomination—basis of the identity of its red wines and one of the world's greatest noble varieties. It covers more than 75% of the cultivation area and it is oenologically very versatile, capable of producing wines with long ageing; very balanced in alcohol content, color and acidity; and with a clear, soft and fruity taste, which evolves into velvet-like when ageing. With regard to its agronomic behavior, it is very safe to set, very sensitive to pests and diseases, not very resistant to drought and high temperatures and, as its Spanish name suggests, it is an "early grape" with a short ripening cycle.
GRACIANO
Graciano is a native variety that is not very widespread in other areas. Its complementarity ageing with Tempranillo grapes made it a future variety for La Rioja. Its cultivation area has considerably increased in recent years, although it has not reached the importance it had before the Phylloxera plague. It needs calcareous clay soils with a certain degree of freshness and is resistant to diseases such as downy mildew and powdery mildew. It has low fertility and late ripening. It produces wines with high acidity and significant polyphenolic content, ideal for ageing, with a very peculiar aroma and greater intensity than other varieties of La Rioja
VIURA
Best known variety in La Rioja. The great classic wines have been produced with this variety. It is chosen for its character and versatility. It produces wines with very good acidity and a high capacity of ageing. Great minerality. Ageing in barrels strengthens all its virtues.
Young white wines made with Viura are fresh, floral and aromatic as long as grapes are harvested early and ageing takes place in stainless steel. They can gain body and notes of honey and nuts once they have aged in barrels and if they have been harvested when grapes are more ripe. These Viura wines, aged in wood, are the traditional production of the classic white wines with barrels of La Rioja.