Historic moment for La Rioja Alta, S.A. The Haro winery incorporates the new Viña Arana, (a brand that was registered in 1974 as a successor to the legendary 6º Año) to complement its prestigious Gran Reserva 890 and Gran Reserva 904.

According to Guillermo de Aranzabal, President of La Rioja Alta, S.A., “Viña Arana is a wine that has always demonstrated its own, particular, widely-recognized style and an extraordinary aging potential. The vertical tastings carried out in recent years have shown that some vintages with specific characteristics have evolved extraordinarily well, becoming 'de facto' Gran Reservas of superb quality.”

Now, after the results of the studies carried out in our Experimentation Facilities, these virtues will be enhanced, thanks to the selection of top quality vintages, enriched by a blend of Tempranillo (95%) and Graciano from 40-year-old vines planted in estate-owned vineyards in Rodezno and Fuenmayor. According to the winemaker, Julio Sáenz, these are “two grape varieties that complement each other perfectly, with the Tempranillo contributing freshness, structure and elegance, while the Graciano brings aromatic intensity and acidity and together they offer unparallelled aging capability.”

Aranzabal stresses that Viña Arana Gran Reserva is a “vibrant, tasty, elegant wine, intended for a new generation of young wine lovers from all over the world who are also eager to discover and enjoy traditional style Riojas adapted to new trends.” He explains that, with this wine: “We are consolidating our focus on vinifications of the highest quality, while confirming our commitment to the recognition, validity and success of an aging category that has given Rioja wines of worldwide praise and demand.”

This first vintage underwent a painstaking aging process lasting three years in 267 barrels built of American oak with an average age of three years. In March 2016, the wine went to bottle racks, where it finished balancing all its qualities in 75 cl and 150 cl bottles. It is a great companion to meats, seasoned fish, stews and desserts with couverture chocolate or red berries.

Its world launch is to take place this spring in the more than 50 international markets where La Rioja Alta, S.A. currently operates, while its official launch in Spain is scheduled for the autumn.