Rioja is Spain's most prolific wine region encompassing a total of 57,000 cultivated hectares. Situated just south of the Cantabrian Mountains along the Ebro river, La Rioja benefits from a more continental climate with the surrounding mountains protecting the vineyards from harsh winds. Rioja’s rosés and white wines are gaining momentum but it is Rioja’s spicy reds that have earned this region its notoriety.
Rioja comes in 4 distinct categories. Joven is young and spends less than a year in oak. Crianza is aged for 2 years spending at least one in Oak. Reserva is aged for 3 years with at least one in oak and Gran Reserva must be aged at least 2 years in oak and 3 in bottle to earn the name. Rioja holds their wines to strict standards which guarantees high quality and reliability.