Spain

R Lopez de Heredia - Viña Tondonia

Rioja Alta

Often young winemakers are keen to modernise but things at Lopez de Heredia are radically different. There is not a glimpse of stainless steel, as the inspirational Maria José Lopez de Heredia wishes to keep making the wines in the very successful manner in which they have been crafted for the last 131 years.

Grape selection and winemaking are done by hand, wines are fined with egg whites and both reds and whites are aged only in wood, with a complete disregard for popular fashions. The minimum time spent in barrel is 36 months for any wine, six years for Reservas and an amazing nine years for the Gran Reservas. All ageing takes place in barrels made by the company’s own cooper, which are renovated so that the use of new wood is kept to a minimum.

The names Viña Tondonia and Viña Bosconia refer to two different vineyards. Bosconia is at higher altitude and is planted with more Tempranillo, and its wines are more juicy and sweetly fruited. Tondonia has more Mazuelo and Graciano and produces wines of a more savoury, spicy, complex and mineral character.

The aged whites are sensationally complex and mature, but with plenty of vivacity and freshness. Since the Bodega’s inception, only 26 vintages have been deemed good enough for the production of Gran Reserva reds and whites.

Visit: www.lopezdeheredia.com