The main difference between López de Heredia and the rest of Rioja is their ultra-traditional approach to winemaking. Tempranillo is blended with Garnacha, Mazuelo and Graciano, producing lighter, hauntingly complex reds. The grapes are also picked at lower alcohols and aged far longer than the appellation dictates.
The Tondonia vineyard was first established between 1913 and 1914 by Don Rafael López de Heredia y Landeta. It’s a 100ha parcel that grows next to the Ebro River, with different varieties planted in separate plots within the larger vineyard.
Please let jolette@winecellar.co.za know if you're interested in receiving an allocation of the rare Gran Reservas, sold in mixed cases of 24 bottles.