Viña Real dates back to 1920. Today this winery is not only a winemaking pioneer in ageing Rioja Alavesa but a timeless brand that has always remained faithful to its roots, with authenticity and sincerity at the fore.
Ever since then, a meticulous balance between tradition and modernity has defined the shape and content of Viña Real.
2004 saw the inauguration of the new Viña Real winery in Laguardia, where the whole process takes place from receiving the grapes to dispatching bottled wines.
Rioja Alavesa grapes are at the very heart of this winery. The winery’s name was inspired by the proximity of its vineyards to the old Camino Real. Clinging to this same patch of earth and blending into the Cerro de la Mesa hill is a monumental 30,000-square metre vat: this is the Viña Real building, an iconic design built in 2004 that masterfully blends the construction into the Riojan terrain.
Viña Real has traditionally been produced using grapes from Laguardia and Elceco and the winery’s own vineyards, such as San Ginés and Castejones. In recent years, we have added grapes from our vineyards in Labastida.
These are all smaller plots, located at an altitude of 500 to 650 m with mainly calcareous but also sandy soils with head-trained vines on the south-facing hillside.
Following 24-hour pre-fermentation cold maceration, alcoholic fermentation takes place using indigenous yeasts in stainless steel tanks at a controlled temperature of 28-30ºC.
The tanks and barrels used for alcoholic fermentation are filled using gravity-led processes.
Ageing is carried out in new single-use barrels, where the wine remains for an average of 24 months, with manual racking taking place every 4 months in the first year and less regularly in the second year. The wine is clarified prior to bottling to achieve a cleaner, smoother and glossier product. Once in the bottle, the desired roundness will be acquired within a minimum of 3 years. It will reach its prime many years later.
