Rioja Alavesa

Rioja

The smaller, northern subregion in the Basque province of Álava, climbing the slopes of the Sierra de Cantabria from the Ebro to over 700 metres. Cooler and more Atlantic-influenced than the rest of Rioja, with thin calcareous soils over limestone bedrock. Tempranillo here tends to feel more lifted and perfumed, with bright acidity, and the carbonic-maceration tradition (jóvenes from whole-bunch ferments in open stone troughs) still runs strong in villages like Laguardia and Elciego. Producers from Marqués de Riscal (founded 1858, the oldest Rioja bodega) and Remírez de Ganuza to Artadi, Contador (Benjamín Romeo), Remelluri and Telmo Rodríguez anchor the modern Alavesa.

The wines of Rioja Alavesa are made primarily from Grenache, Rioja Blend, Tempranillo.

Vineyard Map

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Terroir & Character

Climate

Cooler and more Atlantic than the rest of Rioja, sheltered to the north by the Sierra de Cantabria. Strong diurnal swings between hot days and cold nights preserve acidity at altitude.

Terroir

Calcareous clayLimestoneMarl

Thin calcareous clay over limestone bedrock, with stony marl terraces stepping down from the Sierra de Cantabria toward the Ebro. The shallowest, rockiest soils of the DOCa.

Typical Aromas

red cherryraspberryvioletanisewet stonesweet spicewhite pepper

Explore the aroma wheel

Grapes of Rioja

Grenache

Garnacha in Rioja

strawberryplumred cherrywhite pepper

The backbone of Rioja blends with Tempranillo. Adds flesh and warmth.

Rioja Blend

cherryplumvanillaleather

Traditional Rioja is defined by extended oak aging and Tempranillo-led blends

Tempranillo

Cencibel in Rioja

strawberryraspberryplumcherry

Spain's noble grape, softened by oak ageing. Cherry and plum lifted by American oak's vanilla, coconut, and dill, mellowing into leather and cedar over time.

Frequently Asked Questions

What grapes grow in Rioja Alavesa?▼

The main grapes in Rioja Alavesa (Rioja) include Grenache, Rioja Blend, Tempranillo.

What soils are found in Rioja Alavesa?▼

Rioja Alavesa sits on calcareous clay, limestone, marl soils, which contribute to the distinctive character of its wines.

Map data: MAPA (Ministerio de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentación) · Municipio boundaries © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) · Imagery: Sentinel-2 cloudless by EOX IT Services GmbH (CC BY 4.0)