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Lopez de Heredia - one of the most venerable producers in Spain– produces traditional, age-worthy Rioja. Following a tradition that has been passed down through generations, their wines are released at least 5-10 years after harvest, which provides added complexity and elegance to their Crianzas and Gran Reservas.
A rarity in Rioja, Lopez de Heredia uses only estate bottled fruit from their prized vineyards- Tondonia, Cubillo, Bosconia, and Zaconia- with the idea that the only way to get the best fruit is to care for the vines themselves. The Tondonia vineyard is their most famous; over 100 hectares, it is situated in a shell-shaped depression on the right bank of the river Ebro, where the most typical Rioja wines are grown. The soil is alluvial clay with a high proportion of limestone. Average vine age is 45 years old and organic farming and natural fermentations are implemented, creating wines that exhibit great terroir. Grapes from Viña Tondonia are always used in making their highest quality wines, with truly exceptional vintages becoming Gran Reservas, of which there have only been twenty since 1890. The first Reserva was bottled by the founder in that same year, and a few bottles of this are still kept in the family wine museum. We are fortunate enough to get small allocations of these wines each year. In addition to this one, we also have the Viña Bosconia Reserva red, and the Viña Tondonia Reserva red and white. If you'd like to try a wine from one of the world's greatest wineries, don't delay, they go fast!
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