Bodegas R.López de Heredia

The history of serious winemaking in Spain dates back to the mid-19th century, when French wine merchants arrived in Rioja in search of quality grapes to replace the vines destroyed by the phylloxera epidemic. Among Spanish winemakers, Don Rafael López de Heredia y Landeta stood out particularly, carefully absorbing the experience of his French guests. The visionary winemaker recognized the immense potential of the lands around the town of Haro — the center of the Rioja Alta subregion. The unique combination of soils and climate promised the birth of truly great wines. In 1877, he began constructing the complex now known as the Bodega López de Heredia — the oldest winery in Haro and one of the first three wineries in Rioja. It is noteworthy that López de Heredia remains one of the few family-owned wineries in this prestigious DOCa. The year 1913 marked the creation of Viña Tondonia — the jewel and hallmark of the winery. This magnificent vineyard, covering over 100 hectares and stretching along the right bank of the Ebro River, became the standard for premium Rioja wines. In addition to Tondonia, López de Heredia owns three more vineyards in the Rioja Alta subregion: Viña Cubillo, Viña Gravonia, and Viña Bosconia. The total vineyard area amounts to 170 hectares. The true treasure of the winery are the Reserva and Gran Reserva wines — both red and white — produced only in exceptional years. López de Heredia gained particular fame for its production of aged white wines, becoming practically the only winery in Rioja specializing in this field.