La Rioja is one of the most famous regions in the world for its production of high quality wines protected under the Rioja Qualified Designation of Origin.
This post is the fruit of the work carried out for centuries by entire generations dedicated to the vine cultivation and winemaking.
Naturally, this wide-ranging experience coupled with the exceptional qualities of this region The wine is now enjoyed in the form of wine, in the form of tradition, in the form of culture, and always with an eye to innovation.
However, such innovation now seems to go through the following steps back to the roots, to recover this centuries-old wisdom and work hand in hand with the land, respecting its times.
And of course, to take advantage of all the information that has come to us through the elders and through the legacy they left behind in the form of utensils, tools, recipes, and of course, in the winery districts of La Rioja.
1. The winery districts of La Rioja and their wine cellars
Of the 174 municipalities in La Rioja, more than half, 94 to be precise, have a total of 131 winery districts.
The cellar quarters are characterised by the fact that they are places carved out of the rock that are known as fretwork. So every cave is a "calado" or "calao" in La Rioja, especially if it is or was dedicated to ageing wine.
Some of these winery districts are located at the foot of a hillside where it was sometimes enough to dig straight ahead to create a cave due to the unevenness of the terrain. Other winery districts in La Rioja can be found in the town centre itself.
Of course, those who villages with a wine cellar district The villages that have taken advantage of a hillside to create their own cellar quarter often retain the name cellar quarter, although it may now be used for other, very different purposes.
2. Why is wine produced in caves in La Rioja? 2.
In La Rioja there are different types and sizes of cellars, and some Rioja wineries have also bought cellars attached to their own in order to extend the space between them, in some cases reaching a distance of more than a kilometre.
Other fretwork barely covers an area of 30 square metres.
Some are several metres below ground, and others go into the hillside as indicated above.
However, Why is wine made and stored in caves?
2.1. The advantages of making wine in vats
In La Rioja and other wine regions, wine cellars are used for ageing and storing wine for various historical, geographical and climatic reasons:
- Stable temperature and humidity: Wine cellars tend to have relatively stable temperatures and humidity levels throughout the year. This is beneficial for wine ageing and storage, as fluctuations in temperature and humidity can negatively affect wine quality. The soil provides natural insulation against extreme temperature variations. This helps to maintain a constant temperature within the cellars, which is essential for the slow and controlled maturation of the wine.
- Protection against light and air: Being underground, the cellars protect the wine from direct sunlight and contact with oxygen in the air. This is essential to maintain the integrity and flavour of the wine during the ageing process.
- Space available: Digging underground cellars allowed wineries to make efficient use of the available space, especially in areas where surface area is limited. This resulted in a practical solution for storing large quantities of wine.
- Tradition: The practice of ageing wine in cellars in La Rioja and other wine regions has a long tradition dating back centuries. This tradition has been maintained and has influenced the identity and culture of wine in these areas.
- Odour and noise insulation: Being underground, the creeks can also offer a quieter and more isolated environment, which is beneficial to the tranquillity and quality of the ageing process.
So wine ageing in cellars in La Rioja has to do with the search for optimal conditions for ageing and storing wine, not only with the preservation of what is a centuries-old tradition.
3. Is it possible to visit the winery districts in La Rioja?
The winery districts of La Rioja may have been located below the urban centre or close to it, taking advantage of a hill that provided an interesting slope for the construction of the cellars.
So we must bear in mind that the draughts are underground, and therefore, to walk through them is to intuit what is underground, but without being able to see "the insides" of it.
This way you can visit any of the 131 winery districts in La Rioja.
However, if you wish to visit one or several creeks the best way to do this is to visit a winery that is well known, as is the case with Betolaza Winery in Briones, who have restored a small family wine cellar where they hold tastings and present their wines to visitors.
4. Some of the most characteristic winery districts of La Rioja
It is difficult to make a list of the most characteristic winery districts in La Rioja, since they all are, and therefore, all of them, all have their own special charm and essence.
However, we can make a special mention to one of the most famous and unique winery districts in the world: The Haro Station Quarter. This neighbourhood of wineries is home to the highest concentration of century-old wineries The city, with a population of less than 10,000 inhabitants, was once home to the Bank of Spain and was an economic engine for the city.
Haro also has important fretworks in the area of the old town under the houses and premises.
It is also known that the cellar district of Rodezno which is in good condition and offers great panoramic views of the locality.
In La Rioja Baja the wine cellar district of Quel is located on the opposite bank of the river to the town and also has a large surface area.
On this website you can find a map with the 131 winery districts of La Rioja to choose which one you want to visit and enjoy an authentic Rioja experience.
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