Our Rioja
Grapes Varieties
Our vineyards feature a selection of red Rioja grapes, including Tempranillo, Garnacha, and Graciano.
Our white wines are crafted from the traditional Rioja varieties Viura, Garnacha Blanca, and Malvasía, along with the unique Tempranillo Blanco, a genetic mutation discovered in 1988, and the internationally renowned Sauvignon Blanc.
Rioja Grape Varieties
Character from Vineyard to Glass
The essence of our Rioja character. Each of our wines possesses a unique character, from the vineyard to the glass. Each personality is born in the grape.
Discover the Rioja grape varieties we cultivate that make our wines so special.
Tempranillo
It is one of the main Spanish red grape varieties, considered native to Rioja, covering over 70% of its vineyards. Its name is the diminutive of “early”, it ripens earlier than most other red Rioja grapes.
This thick-skinned grape thrives in higher altitudes, where it is less susceptible to pests and diseases and little resistant to drought and high temperatures. Tempranillo produces quality wines, balanced and aromatic, with medium acidity and alcohol content.
It is used to create both youthful, fruit-forward wines and complex, age-worthy wines, as is excellent for aging in oak barrels.
Characterized by a vibrant ruby colour, they often showcase aromas of ripe red berries
evolving with age to reveal notes of spice, leather, and tobacco.
Garnacha tinta
The Garnacha Tinta is likely Spain’s most widely planted grape variety and is second only to Tempranillo in Rioja.
Known for its resilience, while susceptible to coulure induced by adverse climatic conditions, it is well-adapted to arid conditions and exhibits resistance to several pests and diseases.
Grown in cooler regions, Garnacha Tinta offers a unique balance and complexity, making it an excellent choice for rosés. However, it’s most commonly blended with Tempranillo in red wines.
The medium-size berries are oval and have a deep red-purple colour.
Garnacha Tinta produces wines with a rich, garnet color and a noticeable alcohol content
These wines often display aromas of sweet red fruit and floral notes, and a medium to high acidity.
Graciano
An autochthon grape variety, Graciano is rarely found outside of Rioja due to its low yields. This delicate grape requires specific climatic conditions to reach optimal ripeness, thriving best in arid and warm environments.
The cluster has two short cylindrical shoulders. Its berries are small and round, with an intense black color and a hard, colorless pulp.
It is commonly used to complement other varieties (in blends/“coupages”) although it can also be used to produce single-varietal wines with high acidity and polyphenol content.
Ideal for aging, with an intense red color.
Its aroma is very peculiar, superior in intensity to other Rioja varieties.
Tempranillo Blanco
This variety originated from a natural genetic mutation of a single shoot from a Tempranillo Tinto vine, discovered in 1988 in an old vineyard in Murillo del Río Leza (La Rioja).
Tempranillo Blanco is a variety that thrives in cool climates, sensitive to the sun, and with lower yields than Tempranillo Tinto or Viura. Its clusters are looser, with medium-sized berries and a slightly flattened shape.
The wines have a fruity nose with intense notes of banana and citrus, and a splendid palate with flavors of green apple and tropical fruits.
Balanced on the palate, with structure and a medium-long aftertaste.
Garnacha Blanca
Originally from Spain, Garnacha Blanca is a rare white grape variety in Rioja, possibly a mutation of Garnacha Tinta.
Thriving in cooler regions, it yields a delightful wine with crisp acidity, a full body, and a straw-yellow color.
Its flavor is reminiscent of ripe apples and possesses floral and fruity characteristics. Although a premium grape, it produces relatively small quantities.
Viura
The main white variety cultivated in Rioja, better known in Spain as Macabeo. Its clusters are large and compact, with large, thin-skinned, golden-coloured berries.
Viura produces fruity wines with floral notes and bright acidity.
The colour is a pale, greenish-yellow.
Malvasía
While there are many Malvasía varieties worldwide, the Malvasía of Rioja is unique and offers exceptional potential for producing high-quality white wines.
Its clusters and berries are medium-sized, with a characteristic reddish colour and brown spots on the skin when ripe.
The wines produced are golden in colour, with a tendency to oxidize, and are highly aromatic and full-bodied.
Malvasía is often blended with other varieties to contribute richness and a complex nose.
Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc is a highly regarded white grape variety, often considered the second best after Chardonnay.
This cold-resistant vine buds early and produces medium-sized, cylindrical clusters with small, spheroidal, greenish-yellow berries.
It is versatile, and used in both young and oaked wines.
Sauvignon Blanc is characterized by its pale colour, vibrant acidity, and intense aromas.
Vineyards In Rioja Alta
Bodegas Don Sancho de Londoño has 38 hectares of vineyards in Rioja Alta, distributed among the municipalities of Arenzana, Briones, Camprovín, Hormilla, Nájera and Rodezno.