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Meet Jade Gross: A New Generation of Rioja, Spotlighted by VinePair

Rioja is one of the world’s most historic wine regions—but its story is still being written. That evolution is embodied by Jade Gross, a San Vicente de la Sonsierra–based winemaker whose fresh, terroir-driven approach to Tempranillo is helping redefine what modern Rioja can be.

Gross’s work recently caught the attention of VinePair, which included her in its Winemakers to Watch in 2026 feature. The recognition places her among a global group of emerging producers pushing boundaries—not by abandoning tradition, but by rethinking how it’s expressed.

An Unconventional Path to Rioja

Before turning to wine, Gross built a career as a human rights lawyer after studying at the London School of Economics. She later shifted into the culinary world, training in French cooking schools and working in Michelin-starred kitchens, including Mugaritz in San Sebastián. That deep connection to food, culture, and place now informs her winemaking philosophy.

In 2019, she moved to Rioja and began crafting wines that prioritize balance, vibrancy, and drinkability—an approach shaped as much by the table as by the cellar.

A Fresh Take on Tempranillo

Working with Rioja’s signature grape, Gross produces wines that stand apart from heavily oak-driven expectations. Her Tempranillo emphasizes bright fruit, lifted acidity, and energy, offering a more immediate expression of vineyard and vintage while remaining unmistakably Riojan.

This style reflects a broader shift within the region, where a new generation of winemakers is expanding Rioja’s range without losing its identity.

Why This Moment Matters

Rioja has always balanced heritage with reinvention, and moments like this capture that quiet shift in real time. As drinkers look for wines that feel expressive, personal, and rooted in place, voices like Jade Gross’s are helping reshape how the region is experienced—adding nuance without losing identity.

For those paying attention, her wines don’t just stand out; they hint at where Rioja is headed, and how its next chapter is being written.