2017 – Celebrating Terroir & Origin
Rioja introduced new classifications for wines in 2017, which included not only “Rioja Quality Sparkling Wines” but also “Viñedo Singular,” which recognizes unique vineyards.
At this time, the designations “Vino de Zona” (established in 1998) and “Vino de Municipio” were also regulated to further highlight Rioja’s diversity.
The Rioja DOCa region is made up of three major zones: Rioja Alta, Rioja Alavesa, and Rioja Oriental. Defined by a set of unique ecological characteristics, each territory yields an incredible diversity of wines with distinct personalities.
Rioja Alta: A Global Wine Tourism Landmark
A must-visit destination for wine lovers in the westernmost part of the Rioja DOCa region, featuring the world’s largest abundance of century-old wineries.
- Wineries: 246
- Municipalities: 77
- Vineyards: 14,571 hectares
Rioja Alavesa: The Northern Jewel of DOCa Rioja
An international benchmark in wine tourism, spanning over 300 km² in southern Álava. A truly unique landscape of tradition and innovation, offering a journey through megalithic monuments, medieval villages surrounded by vineyards, and avant-garde wineries equipped with the latest viticultural innovations.
- Wineries: 236
- Municipalities: 18
- Vineyards: 13,178 hectares
Rioja Oriental: The Mediterranean Influence
A region that has been intertwined with viticulture ever since the Roman Empire brought grapevine cultivation to Rioja. With a cuisine that’s rooted in the exquisite vegetables that are grown along the Ebro River, it’s a gastronomic paradise that boasts prehistoric cave dwellings, museums, interpretation centers, thermal spas, and natural hot springs.
- Wineries: 92
- Municipalities: 49
- Vineyards: 25,191 hectares
