In the rolling foothills of Rioja Alavesa, where vineyards stretch beneath the Cantabrian mountains, Marqués de Riscal stands as a symbol of tradition shaped by vision. Founded in 1858 by Guillermo Hurtado de Amézaga, the estate introduced Bordeaux-inspired winemaking to Spain, forever altering the trajectory of Rioja. Just four years later, it became the first winery in the region to bottle its own wines—a gesture of intent that would come to define its legacy.

Today, Marqués de Riscal unites classical Rioja craftsmanship with modern architectural audacity. The estate’s City of Wine, designed by Frank Gehry and inaugurated in 2006, is a beacon of innovation. Its flowing titanium curves shelter a luxury hotel, a Michelin-starred restaurant, and the historic cellars—offering a dialogue between heritage and modernity that echoes through every aspect of the brand.

The vineyards span over 1,500 hectares, primarily in Rioja, Rueda, and Castilla y León. In Rioja, Tempranillo leads the reds, often joined by Graciano and Mazuelo. The clay-limestone soils of Elciego lend structure, freshness, and age-worthy depth to the wines. In Rueda, sandy soils and elevated sites favor white varieties like Verdejo and Sauvignon Blanc, resulting in wines of vivid aromatics and tensile acidity.

The portfolio is anchored by the estate’s classic Rioja reds. The Reserva is aged in American oak, balancing red fruit purity with notes of spice and vanilla. The Gran Reserva, drawn from the best vintages, is stately and structured, built for decades of aging. The XR bottlings—named after a historical shorthand for exceptional barrels—offer expressive, limited-edition interpretations of Rioja with singular personality. In white, the Rueda range showcases clarity and lift, particularly in its varietal Verdejo, a wine of stony intensity and citrus zest.

Marqués de Riscal has long been more than a producer. It is an emblem of Spanish wine’s global rise—respected for its consistency, admired for its boldness. Awards and accolades have followed, but the estate remains grounded in the values it was founded upon: precision, integrity, and an unshakable belief in the promise of its land.

With each vintage, Marqués de Riscal continues to craft wines that speak fluently in both past and future tense.