On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Designation of Origin (D.O.) for Rioja, the D.O.Ca. Rioja Centenary Roadshow will be held in Hong Kong, on 7th May, and in Shanghai, on May 9th . This grand event will celebrate a century of Rioja heritage, showcasing the exceptional quality of Rioja wines.
A Century of Excellence
The Rioja region has been producing wine for thousands of years, with archaeological findings over 2,000 years-old related to its wine culture. It was fitting that in 1925 it became the very first official Designation of Origin established in Spain. Since then, Rioja has consistently redefined quality and innovation:
– 1980: Rioja developed the wine categories according to their aging (Joven, Crianza, Reserva and Gran Reserva), a system subsequently followed by many other D.O.
– 1991: Elevated to Designation of Origin Calificada (D.O.Ca.), the highest tier for Spanish wine appellations. Again the first in Spain.
– 2008-09: Spearheaded the “White Wine Renaissance”, incorporating 6 new white grapes, making the white wines more complex and diverse, transforming global perceptions of Rioja whites.
– 2017: Introduced the Viñedos Singulares (Singular Vineyard) classification and Espumosos de Calidad (D.O.Ca. Rioja Quality Sparkling Wines), achieving the maximum expression of terroir and advancing precision winemaking.
– In Recent Years, Rioja has also become a world leader in wine tourism receiving almost 900,000 visits last year, to cultivate a sustainable and diversified Rioja wine ecosystem.
A century of dedication has positioned D.O.Ca. Rioja as a global leader. Today, Rioja brand unites 600+ wineries and 14,000 grape growers, exporting to 130+ countries and commanding 30% of the total value of Spain’s premium wine sales (40% of premium wines export value). In 2024, D.O.Ca. Rioja achieved 240 million liters in sales (+0.63% YoY), reaffirming its resilience and the value of its brand.
The President of D.O.Ca. Rioja Regulatory Board, Mr. Fernando Ezquerro, said “we want everybody to learn that Rioja turns 100. And that we achieve this milestone with the wisdom of one century and the energy of a youngster. As a leader and Spain’s finest. Surely, this celebration shared with our friends all around the world will inspire us for the next 100 years. Rioja D.O. now has 100 years of history but we also have a bright future in front of us.”
Roadshow Highlights
– Grand Wine Tasting: Over 50 wineries present 300+ wines, showcasing Rioja’s high quality and diverse terroir. A unique opportunity to experience Rioja’s great diversity.
– Rioja wine makers Seminar: Engage with renowned Rioja winemakers from 5 different wineries and learn directly from the experts about wine making in one of the world’s top wine regions.
Event Registration(Scan the Qr codes below to register):
