At La Rioja Alta, S.A., we have spent more than 130 years proving that excellence is not a destination but a journey. A journey built on deep respect for our craft and, at the same time, on the conviction that only by evolving can we truly honour our history. Today, we take another step in that direction with a project that unites the best of both worlds: the artisanal tradition of our ageing process and the transformative power of technology.

A Quiet Revolution in Our Cellars

We have implemented a pioneering barrel-traceability system based on Artificial Intelligence and RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology. This innovation allows us to monitor, in real time, the complete journey of every barrel — from the moment it is crafted by our cooperage team until the wine is bottled.

Nothing changes to the naked eye: the process remains artisanal, patient and classic, just as it has always been. But now, each of our more than 30,000 American and French oak barrels incorporates a small RFID device — a kind of “digital fingerprint” that records its full history. Wood type and origin, production batch, wash cycles, precise location in the winery, ageing conditions… everything is stored with accuracy.

Technology That Listens to the Oak

Using radio-frequency readers and intelligent data analysis, we can detect patterns, anticipate needs and improve processes. Understanding oak behaviour more deeply means understanding wine more deeply — and that enables us to refine the art of ageing even further.

This kind of system is common in industries such as automotive manufacturing or logistics, but it represents a truly innovative leap in the world of wine. Here, technology does not replace tradition; it accompanies it, reinforces it and makes it even more robust.

More Control, More Precision, More Excellence

This new system allows us to:

- Improve the management of our barrel stock.

- Reduce errors and streamline monitoring.

- Enhance security and traceability.

- Gain valuable knowledge to keep perfecting our style.

And it is part of a broader innovation strategy. Alongside barrel traceability, we have also developed:

- Artificial vision systems for bottle tracking.

- Smart sensors placed in cases and boxes.

- Predictive tools to support decision-making.

All of this stems from a single philosophy: preserving the classic soul of our wines while embracing the tools of the future.

Innovation to Protect What We Love

At La Rioja Alta, S.A., we understand innovation as a commitment, not a rupture. We don’t aim to change what already works — we aim to improve what we love. And we love wine, ageing, and the oak that gives it character.

This project is another step in that direction: a way to continue elevating excellence, to maintain authenticity and to ensure that future generations find in our bottles the same emotion we find today.

Because tradition is a legacy — and the future, a responsibility.