Villota One of the Newest Stars in Rioja and all the Rioja in the store on SALE!!
Vina Villota – One of the best NEW Discoveries in Rioja!
I can’t believe that it has been over a month that I have been back from our trip to Rioja in Spain and I knew it was going to be an amazing time in Rioja when on our first night we pulled up to Vina Villota and Carmen Villota was there to greet us. This is one of the newest labels in Rioja and although it had been a long time since I had been here I still follow the wines of Rioja closely and this was the only stop on this trip that I had never even heard of but when our friends at Jorge Ordonez said that Carmen Villot would be here to greet us on an early Sunday evening in June I said why not.
I was so excited to meet and spend time with Carmen Villota especially after doing a bit of research about this vineyard. Villa Villota is a family-owned vineyard in Rioja that had been selling their grapes to one of the large wineries like many smaller farmers in this area but this family has a rather large and important vineyard in Laserna, a small village located on the Ebro River in the municipality of Laguardia, in the province of Álava. Rioja Alavesa sub-zone.
Viñas del Lentisco – Villota is owned, operated, and founded by Carmen Pérez-Garrigues and her father Ricardo Pérez- Villota, the fourth and third generations of the Pérez-Villota family, a line of growers that have been rooted to the San Rafael estate in Laserna, Laguardia on a meander of the Ebro River since 1930. In 1973, the Villota family cofounded Viñedos del Contino, Rioja's first single estate winery with CVNE. The partnership lasted until 2013, when the Villota family broke off, taking the historic family estate with them, and founded their own winery under the Villota brand on this historic plot of land.
Carmen took us on a tour of the vineyards at the top of the hill where they have 20–40-year-old vines. You can see the passion the family as for the vines as the vineyards are meticulously farmed and on some of the best terroir in all of Rioja with a close proximity to the Ebro River.
The large oak tree at the bottom of the hill is a great place to stop and taste wines but it was a little cool on this afternoon for our group from South Florida. We stopped to look around and enjoy the serenity of the river Ebro.
The oldest vines that are in the 100-year-old range are grown in rocky vineyards that resemble that of Chateauneuf du Pape. There is no topsoil here at all just a sea of stones and these old gnarly vines that naturally produce very low yields therefore very intense fruit.
Carmen and her husband Antonio hosted us for a tasting and dinner in a small farmhouse located in the vineyards. This old house has been completely redone and is now the perfect place to taste the Villota wines after touring the vineyards.
These are some of the most exciting new wines from Rioja that I have had in years and with the years of experience of this team you can see the potential for the future as the earliest wines are still very young from this property . Unfortunately, we only have three of this winery’s wines available in South Florida at the moment but we will let you know when the rest of these outstanding wines arrive and Carmen promised to visit us here at the Wine Bar so we can return the hospitality and introduce her to our “Rioja Drinking Wine People” here in the USA.
Villa Villota – One of the New Stars of Rioja
2021 VILLOTA 'SELVANEVADA' BLANCO RIOJA DOCA SPAIN
Price: $23.50 Your Price: $20.68
The Selvanevada Bianco 2021 is a blend of Viura (91%), Tempranillo Blanco (6%) and Garnacha Blanca (3%). A very pretty bouquet with aromas of flowers, fresh melon and lychee nut fruit with a light spicy quality also lovely freshness. A smooth and refreshing wine on the tongue with tingly minerality and a smooth creamy texture and a nice complexity without being complicated easy to drink a whole bottle. Finish 40+. Excellent
2021 VILLOTA TINTO RIOJA DOCA SPAIN
Price: $33.00 Your Price: $29.04
The 2021 Tinto is a blend of 85% Tempranillo, 13% Graciano and 2% Garnacha a beautiful bouquet lots of black cherry dark wild strawberry jam pretty floral highlights dark spices and smoked meats. A beautiful silky texture with ripe round tannins this is a wine that is just starting to drink nicely from the outstanding 2021 vintage you can cellar this wine for at least two decades. Finish 50+. Excellent
2021 VILLOTA 'VINA GENA' VINEDO SINGULAR RIOJA DOCA SPAIN
Price: $50.00 Your Price: $44.00
The Vina Gena is 100% Tempranillo hailing from a parcel located on sandier in texture with a lower percentage of limestone, due to its proximity on the banks of the river. The family believes this soil make up results in a fresher, more elegant wine with finer tannins. An abundance of red and black fruits on the nose with a complex array of wildflowers herbs and more, a very complex bouquet. A big and chewy wine on the tongue with lots of everything and in proportion, but it takes on even more complexity with a few hours in the decanter, this wine will reward you if you put it in the cellar for a decade but is great on the second day after opening indicating it is quite cellar worthy. Finish 50+ MOST EXCELLENT
Rioja –The most famous Spanish Wine
The harvesting of wine in La Rioja has an ancient lineage with origins dating back to the Phoenicians and the Celtiberians. The earliest written evidence of the existence of the grape in La Rioja dates to 873, in the form of a document from the Public Notary of San Millán dealing with a donation to the San Andrés de Trepeana (Treviana) Monastery. As was the case in many Mediterranean lands in mediaeval times, monks were the main practitioners of winemaking in La Rioja and great advocates of its virtues. In the thirteenth century, Gonzalo de Berceo, clergyman of the Suso Monastery in San Millán de la Cogolla (La Rioja) and Spain's earliest known poet, mentions the wine in some of his works.
In the year 1063, the first testimony of viticulture in La Rioja appears in the "Carta de población de Longares" (Letter to the Settlers of Longares). The King of Navarra and Aragon gave the first legal recognition of Rioja wine in 1102. Vineyards occupied the usual part of rural landscapes in medieval Rioja during the High Middle Ages (10th-13th century) There are proofs of Rioja wine export towards other regions as early as the late 13th century, which testifies the beginnings of a commercial production. From the 15th century on, the Rioja Alta specialized in wine growing. In 1560, harvesters from Longares chose a symbol to represent the quality of the wines. In 1635, the mayor of Logroño prohibited the passing of carts through streets near wine cellars, in case the vibrations caused a deterioration of the quality of the wine. Several years later, in 1650, the first document to protect the quality of Rioja wines was drawn up. In 1790, at the inaugural meeting of the Real Sociedad Económica de Cosecheros de La Rioja (Royal Economic Society of Rioja Winegrowers), many initiatives as to how to construct, fix, and maintain the roads and other forms of access for transportation of wine were discussed. The Society was established to promote the cultivation and commercialisation of Rioja wines and 52 Rioja localities participated.
In 1852, Luciano Murrieta created the first fine wine of the Duque de la Victoria area, having learned the process in Bordeaux. In 1892, the Viticulture and Enology Station of Haro was founded for quality-control purposes. In 1902, a Royal Decree determining the origin of Rioja wines is promulgated. The Consejo Regulador (Regulating Council) was created in 1926 with the objective of limiting the zones of production, expanding the warranty of the wine and controlling the use of the name "Rioja". This Council became legally structured in 1945 and was finally inaugurated in 1953. In 1970 the Regulations for Denominación de Origen were approved as well as Regulations for the Regulating Council. In 1991, the prestigious "Calificada" (Qualified) nomination was awarded to La Rioja, making it Spain's first Denominación de Origen Calificada (DOCa).
Limits of the Rioja D.O.C.
In 2008, the Regulatory Council for the La Rioja Denomination of Origin created a new logo to go on all bottles of wine produced under this designation. From now on bottles of wine from the La Rioja Qualified Denomination of Origin will no longer bear the familiar logo. In an attempt to appeal to younger wine-lovers, the long-standing logo will now be replaced with a brighter, more modern logo with cleaner lines. The aim is to reflect the new, modern aspects of wine-growing in La Rioja without detracting from the traditional wines. In theory, the new logo represents a Tempranillo vine symbolising “heritage, creativity and dynamism”. Consumers should start seeing the labels in October 2008. The Joven from 2008, Crianza from 2006, Reserva from 2005, and Gran Reserva from 2003 being released this year should bear the new label, in theory.
Located south of the Cantabrian Mountains along the Ebro river, La Rioja benefits from a continental climate. The mountains help to isolate the region which has a moderating effect on the climate. They also protect the vineyards from the fierce winds that are typical of northern Spain. The region is also home to the Oja river (Rio Oja), believed to have given the region its name. Most of the region is situated on a plateau, a little more than 1,500 feet (460 m) above sea level. The area is subdivided into three regions - Rioja Alavesa, Rioja Alta and Rioja Baja. La Rioja Alavesa and la Rioja Alta, located closer to the mountains, are at slightly higher elevations and have a cooler climate. La Rioja Baja to the southeast is drier and warmer. Annual rainfall in the region ranges from 12 inches (300 mm) in parts of Baja to more than 20 inches (510 mm) in La Rioja Alta and Alavesa. Many of Rioja's vineyards are found along the Ebro valley between the towns of Haro and Alfaro.
Wine regions
A wine from the Rioja Alavesa region.
The three principal regions of La Rioja are Rioja Alavesa, Rioja Alta and Rioja Baja with each area producing its own unique expression of Rioja wine. Most of the territory subjected to the Rioja Protected designation of origin is in the La Rioja region, even though their limits do not coincide exactly. There is a narrow strip in the left bank of the Ebro river lying in the southernmost part of Álava included in the La Rioja wine region, whereas the south-southwestern part of the La Rioja region is not a part of this Protected designation of origin.
Rioja Alta
Located on the western edge of the region and at higher elevations than the other areas, the Rioja Alta is known more for its "old world" style of wine. A higher elevation equates to a shorter growing season, which in turn produces brighter fruit flavors and a wine that is lighter on the palate.
Rioja Alavesa
Despite sharing a similar climate as the Alta region, the Rioja Alavesa produces wines with a fuller body and higher acidity. Vineyards in the area have a low vine density with large spacing between rows. This is due to the relatively poor conditions of the soil with the vines needing more distance from each other and less competition for the nutrients in the surrounding soil.
Rioja Baja
Unlike the more continental climate of the Alta and Alavesa, the Rioja Baja is strongly influenced by a Mediterranean climate which makes this area the warmest and driest of the Rioja. In the summer months, drought can be a significant viticultural hazard, though since the late 1990s irrigation has been permitted. Temperatures in the summer typically reach 35 °C (95 °F). A number of the vineyards are actually located in nearby Navarra but the wine produced from those grapes belongs to the Rioja appellation. Unlike the typically pale Rioja wine, Baja wines are very deeply coloured and can be highly alcoholic with some wines at 18% alcohol by volume. They typically do not have much acidity or aroma and are generally used as blending components with wines from other parts of the Rioja.
All the Rioja in the store on SALE!
2023 Muga Rosado Rioja
Price: $18.50 Your Price: $16.28 Quantity in Stock: 11
2022 Bodegas Muga 'Flor de Muga' Rosado, Rioja DOCa, Spain
Price: $37.50 Your Price: $33.00 Quantity in Stock: 6
2022 Bodegas Ontañón Rioja Clarete Rosado
Price: $18.00 Your Price: $15.84 Quantity in Stock: 6
2022 BODEGAS MUGA BLANCO FERMENTADO EN BARRICA, RIOJA DOCA,
Price: $21.00 Sale Price: $18.48 Quantity in Stock: 6
2022 Bodegas Ontañón Rioja Tempranillo Blanco Edición Limitada
Price: $18.75 Your Price: $16.50 Quantity in Stock: 3
2020 Bodegas Muga 'Flor de Muga' Blanco, Rioja DOCa, Spain
Price: $60.00 Your Price: $52.80 Quantity in Stock: 3
2019 Queirón Rioja Tempranillo Blanco Ensayos Capitales No. 2
Price: $54.00 Sale Price: $47.00 Quantity in Stock: 1
2019 Bodegas Ontanon Akemi Viura Rioja
Price: $19.50 Sale Price: $17.16 Quantity in Stock: 1
2018 CVNE Cune Monopole Rioja Blanco
Price: $18.25 Your Price: $16.06 Quantity in Stock: 1
2020 Bodegas Palacios Remondo Finca La Montesa Rioja DOCa Spain
Price: $22.50 Your Price: $19.80 Quantity in Stock: 44
2019 Artadi Vinas De Gain Rioja
Price: $23.25 Your Price: $20.46 Quantity in Stock: 11
2019 Muga Reserva Seleccion Especial Rioja
Price: $60.00 Your Price: $52.80 Quantity in Stock: 11
2019 Bodegas Ontanon Crianza Rioja
Price: $20.25 Sale Price: $17.82 Quantity in Stock: 7
2018 Contino Reserva Rioja
Price: $50.50 Your Price: $44.44 Quantity in Stock: 6
2018 Orben Rioja Malpuesto
Price: $67.50 Your Price: $59.40 Quantity in Stock: 16
2018 Bodegas Roda Reserva Rioja
Price: $58.50 Your Price: $51.48 Quantity in Stock: 1
2018 Queirón Rioja Vino De Quel Mi Lugar
Price: $45.00 Sale Price: $39.60 Quantity in Stock: 9
2017 Bodegas Roda Roda I Reserva Rioja
Price: $94.00 Your Price: $82.72 Quantity in Stock: 8
2017 Roda Reserva Rioja
Price: $54.00 Your Price: $47.52 Quantity in Stock: 2
2016 Muga Rioja Prado Enea Gran Riserva
Price: $135.00 Your Price: $118.80 Quantity in Stock: 20
2016 Bodegas Riojanas Vina Albina Crianza Rioja
Price: $15.50 Your Price: $13.64 Quantity in Stock: 14
2016 BODEGAS FERNANDO REMIREZ DE GANUZA FINCAS DE GANUZA RIOJA RESERVA
Price: $52.50 Your Price: $46.20 Quantity in Stock: 1
2015 Bodegas Ontanon Reserva Rioja
List Price: $30.00 Sale Price: $26.40 Quantity in Stock: 1
2015 Torres Altos Ibericos Reserva Rioja
Price: $30.00 Your Price: $26.40 Quantity in Stock: 12
2015 Alvaro Palacios Quinon De Valmira Rioja
Price: $465.00 Your Price: $409.20 Quantity in Stock: 1
2015 Sierra Cantabria Gran Reserva, Rioja DOCa, Spain
Price: $50.00 Your Price: $44.00 Quantity in Stock: 8
2014 Marques de Riscal Arienzo Rioja
Price: $12.50 Your Price: $11.00 Quantity in Stock: 6
2014 BODEGAS FERNANDO REMIREZ DE GANUZA RESERVA RIOJA
Price: $89.00 Your Price: $78.32 Quantity in Stock: 10
2012 Marques de Riscal Rioja Frank Gehry Selection
Price: $534.00 Your Price: $469.92 Quantity in Stock: 5
2012 Bodegas Roda Reserva Rioja Roda I Magnum
Price: $238.00 Your Price: $209.44 Quantity in Stock: 1
2011 Beronia III A.C. Rioja
Price: $100.00 Sale Price: $85.00 Quantity in Stock: 1
2011 Bodegas Ontañón Rioja Gran Reserva
Price: $49.50 Your Price: $43.56 Quantity in Stock: 9
2011 Marques de Murrieta Dalmau Reserva Rioja
Price: $115.00 Your Price: $101.20 Quantity in Stock: 1
2011 LOPEZ DE HEREDIA VINA TONDONIA RIOJA RESERVA
Price: $60.00 Your Price: $52.80 Quantity in Stock: 1
2011 R. Lopez de Heredia Vina Tondonia Reserva Rioja Magnum (1.5L)
Price: $125.00 Your Price: $110.00 Quantity in Stock: 2
2011 BODEGAS RODA RESERVA RIOJA RODA I
Price: $118.50 Your Price: $104.28 Quantity in Stock: 12
2010 Grupo Olarra Bodegas Ondarre Gran Reserva Rioja
Price: $36.00 Your Price: $31.68 Quantity in Stock: 10
2010 Grupo Olarra Anares Gran Reserva, Rioja DOCa, Spain
Price: $24.00 Sale Price: $20.00 Quantity in Stock: 3
2010 Marques de Murrieta Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial Rioja
Price: $350.00 Sale Price: $285.00 Quantity in Stock: 1
2009 Marques de Caceres Crianza Rioja
Price: $19.00 Your Price: $16.72 Quantity in Stock: 1
2009 BODEGAS RODA RESERVA RIOJA RODA I
Price: $118.50 Your Price: $104.28 Quantity in Stock: 7
2008 Bodegas Heredad de Aduna 'Aduna' Reserva Rioja
Price: $29.00 Your Price: $25.52 Quantity in Stock: 1
2007 Marques De Riscal Reserva Rioja
Price: $45.00 Your Price: $39.60 Quantity in Stock: 1
2007 Marques de Murrieta Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial Rioja
Price: $249.00 Your Price: $219.12 Quantity in Stock: 1
2007 Bodegas Roda Reserva Rioja Roda I
Price: $131.25 Your Price: $115.50 Quantity in Stock: 8
2006 Granja Nuestra Senora de Remelluri 'Remelluri' Reserva RIOJA DOCa
Price: $75.00 Your Price: $66.00 Quantity in Stock: 27
2005 Artadi Pagos Viejos Rioja
Price: $120.00 Your Price: $105.60 Quantity in Stock: 2
2005 Bodegas Roda Reserva Rioja Roda I
Price: $131.25 Your Price: $115.50 Quantity in Stock: 14
2004 Bodegas Roda Reserva Rioja Roda I
Price: $131.25 Your Price: $115.50 Quantity in Stock: 8
2001 Artadi Grandes Anadas Rioja
Price: $365.00 Sale Price: $305.00 Quantity in Stock: 2
1999 Bodegas Roda II Reserva Rioja
Price: $79.00 Your Price: $69.52 Quantity in Stock: 11
1996 Artadi El Pison Rioja
Price: $375.00 Sale Price: $295.00 Quantity in Stock: 1
1994 Bodegas Montecillo Gran Reserva Rioja
Price: $59.00 Your Price: $51.92 Quantity in Stock: 23
1992 Bodegas Campillo Gran Reserva Rioja
Price: $95.00 Sale Price: $79.00 Quantity in Stock: 12
1991 Muga Rioja Gran Riserva Prado Enea
Price: $295.00 Sale Price: $245.00 Quantity in Stock: 2
1982 Faustino Rioja Gran Reserva
Price: $90.00 Your Price: $79.20 Quantity in Stock: 1
1970 Federico Paternina Gran Reserva Rioja DOC Spain
Price: $150.00 Sale Price: $125.00 Quantity in Stock: 3
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