R. López de Heredia is the classic Viña Tondonia bodega in Haro, in the Rioja Alta, and one of the most traditional houses in all of Rioja. Its red, white and rosé wines spend years in American oak barrels and are often released long after the harvest, in a mature style few cellars still make.
R. López de Heredia: a Haro bodega built on tradition since 1877
Rafael López de Heredia y Landeta began planning and building the winery in Haro in 1877, and the building work went on for decades. The underground galleries, cut into the rock, still hold thousands of Bordeaux-style barrels. Today the bodega is run by the fourth generation of the family. María José López de Heredia leads the house, her sister Mercedes is in charge of the winemaking and her brother Julio César looks after the vineyards.
Very little has changed in the way the wines are made. The grapes are picked by hand, fermentation takes place in old wooden vats, the wines are racked by hand twice a year, fined with fresh egg whites and bottled unfiltered. The bodega also runs its own cooperage, where the barrels are built by hand from American oak bought as raw timber.
Viña Tondonia, Viña Bosconia, Viña Cubillo and Viña Gravonia
Viña Tondonia is the flagship: more than 100 hectares on the right bank of the Ebro, planted in 1913 and 1914. The red Viña Tondonia Reserva is mostly Tempranillo with Garnacha, Graciano and Mazuelo and spends six years in barrel; it also comes in magnum (2007, 2009 and 2010). The Gran Reserva tinto gets ten years in cask, which is why vintages such as 2001 and 2004 are being released at an age when most Rioja has long been drunk.
Viña Bosconia is what the bodega calls its full-bodied red, with a slightly higher share of Tempranillo and five years in barrel for the Reserva. It comes as Reserva (2012 and 2013) and Gran Reserva (2001 and 2004). Viña Cubillo is the youngest red, a Crianza with three years in barrel and a good first taste of the house style (2016 and 2018).
White Rioja and rosé Gran Reserva from López de Heredia
The whites are where López de Heredia stands almost alone. They age in oak as long as the reds. Viña Tondonia Blanco Reserva is Viura with a little Malvasía and spends six years in barrel; the shelf here runs from 2008 to 2014. The Viña Tondonia Blanco Gran Reserva rests a full ten years in cask, and older vintages such as 1996, 2001 and 2004 show nutty, waxy and gently oxidative notes with surprising freshness. Viña Gravonia is the house's Viura Crianza, four years in barrel, and a lovely way into aged white wine from Rioja.
The Viña Tondonia Rosado Gran Reserva is a real rarity: Garnacha with Tempranillo and a little Viura, aged four years in barrel and released at an age when most rosé wine would be tired (2010, 2011 and 2012).
Frequently asked questions about R. López de Heredia
Where is López de Heredia Viña Tondonia made?
In Haro, in the Rioja Alta. All the wines come from the family's own vineyards: Tondonia plus Cubillo, Bosconia and Zaconia, all in the Rioja Alta. More wines from the country are under Spain.
What is the difference between Viña Tondonia and Viña Bosconia?
Both are Tempranillo led reds from the family's own vineyards. Tondonia, from the large vineyard on the Ebro, is the flagship. The bodega calls Bosconia its full-bodied red, with a slightly higher share of Tempranillo and a round, smooth palate.
How long can a Viña Tondonia wine age?
The wines have already had years of ageing when they are released, and the bodega says they keep for ten years or more after that when stored at a cool, steady temperature. The Reservas and Gran Reservas, red and white alike, are built for long cellaring.
What food goes with López de Heredia?
The reds suit roast lamb, mushrooms and mature cheese. The whites work beautifully with fish, shellfish and cured ham, and the rosado with rice dishes.