Possibly, one of the most recognized characteristics of Spain is precisely the excellent quality of its wines, among which, without a doubt, the denomination of origin 'Rioja' stands out.
La Rioja is one of those Spanish regions, whose close relationship with wine makes it not only an eminently strategic area in terms of its production, but also a traditional area and in some cases, it could even be said that it is legendary.
In fact, and following the wine-growing tradition started by the biblical patriarch Noah, who is considered the first winegrower in history, or at least in history more or less known, La Rioja is not just another area that keeps a part important of the arcane mysteries related to the always enigmatic pilgrimage path, known as the Saint Jame’s Way or Stars’ Way.
The large vineyards also came from the hand of the great medieval monasteries, such as Santo Domingo de la Calzada or the emblematic ones of Suso and Yuso, with a great historical, mystery and cultural tradition, where wine has always played a important role.
Divided, however, into two essential areas, Rioja Alta and Rioja Baja, on this occasion I invite you to visit one of the most recognized and at the same time more modernized wineries, located in the beautiful municipality of Briones, in that Rioja Alta, adjacent with the misty mountains of northern Burgos.
The Vivanco winery not only has its roots in the most traditional of Spanish wine culture, but also constitutes one of the most advanced and elegant wineries on the Iberian Peninsula.
Detail that can also be complemented with a visit not only to those facilities, underground and advanced, which make it one of the most cutting-edge wineries, as has been said, in terms of production and quality, but also a winery that does not forget neither its roots nor its interesting past, keeping a wine museum alive, which makes visitors feel intoxicated and transferred to other times and other dimensions.
Dimensions, for example, where we can find a diversity of objects related to wine and its evolution over the centuries, as well as its relationship, not only with the rite so important to Christianity, which is the Eucharist, but also a close relationship with Marian figures, whose invocations of Virgin of the Vine, of the Vine or of the Grape, is still extremely curious and interesting, offering us an aspect of the close relationship between this and the figure of the farmer, always so devoted and grateful for your gifts and blessings.
At the current level, a winery like Vivanco not only uses modern technology to guarantee the excellence of its wines, over which it exercises strict controls of temperature, rest and selection, but also takes care of all the details, such as ensuring the supply and the quality of the oak casks and barrels, which increase the intensity of the flavors and are generally imported from France, as well as the cork stoppers, this being a country with a rich wine-making tradition behind it as well and with which it shares a certain role.
It also has a magnificent restaurant, where visitors are welcomed and entertained with the no less varied and rich quality of the traditional gastronomic products of the land, which serve, of course, to make the experience richer and more varied.
I hope and wish that you have enjoyed this excursion through one of the most emblematic and traditional Rioja wineries.
NOTICE: Both the text and the photographs that accompany it, are my exclusive intellectual property and therefore are subject to my Copyright.
Photo Album: the past of Vivanco wineries:
