A passion for wine is something all wine lovers share. At Vinogrande, we like to tell the stories of wineries that not only make exceptional wines but also have a rich history behind them. Today we invite you to discover La Rioja Alta S.A., a true icon of Spanish winemaking with more than a century of tradition.
In 2025, the excellence of La Rioja Alta, S.A. shone once again on the world stage! In Drinks International's prestigious annual ranking, which for fifteen years has celebrated the world's most admired wine brands, we achieved a historic feat: we are the third most admired winery in the world, the second in Europe and, with immense pride, number one in Spain. An honour that recognises our passion, tradition and commitment to quality. Thank you for being part of this story!
Born in the 19th Century
The history of La Rioja Alta S.A. begins in 1890, when five Riojan and Basque families founded the "Sociedad Vinícola de La Rioja Alta" in Haro's famous Barrio de la Estación. From the outset, the winery stood out for innovation and the quality of its wines. Its first president was Doña Saturnina García Cid y Gárate, a visionary woman who broke new ground in a predominantly male industry. Frenchman Monsieur Vigier was the house's first winemaker, creating the Reserva 1890, forerunner of today's Gran Reserva 1890.
Growth and Merger in the 20th Century
The 20th century was a period of great growth and transformation for La Rioja Alta S.A. In 1904, Don Alfredo Ardanza, a founder of La Rioja Alta and owner of Bodega Ardanza, proposed merging the two companies. To celebrate the union, the Reserva 1904 was made, forerunner of the prestigious Gran Reserva 904, still one of the winery's most emblematic wines today.
In 1941 the winery adopted the name we know today: La Rioja Alta, S.A. A year later, on 28 September 1942, it registered the Viña Ardanza brand, which quickly became famous and a benchmark among wine lovers.
Expansion and Innovation in the 21st Century
At the end of the 20th century and start of the 21st, La Rioja Alta S.A. continued to expand and innovate. In 1995 it acquired Bodega Torre de Oña, S.A., in Páganos (Rioja Alavesa). The purchase included the winery, the Casa Palacio, the Ermita and 45 hectares of vineyards. The first wine made at the new property was Barón de Oña Reserva 1989, further cementing La Rioja Alta S.A.'s reputation for excellence.
In 1996, La Rioja Alta S.A. took a significant step by building a new winery in Labastida. Equipped with the latest technology, it allowed a major improvement in wine quality, reflecting the winery's ongoing commitment to innovation and excellence.
La Rioja Alta S.A.'s dedication has been widely recognised over the years. In 2018, its Gran Reserva 890-2005 reached 4th place in Wine Spectator's list of the world's best wines. This prestigious recognition further strengthened the winery's international standing.
In 2022 it was named the world's 4th most admired winery by Drinks International, a testament to the respect and admiration La Rioja Alta S.A. has earned worldwide.
Most recently, in 2024, the Gran Reserva 890-2010 became the winery's first wine to receive four perfect 100-point scores from critics. This extraordinary feat underlines the relentless dedication to quality and perfection that defines La Rioja Alta S.A.
