"Savory berries, plums, iron, minerals, tobacco, ink and blood oranges. Very bright, juicy and structured, with sensational balance, aged savoriness and brightness that are typical of Tondonia reds." -James Suckling

"The 2012 Viña Tondonia is a blend of Tempranillo, Garnacha, Mazuelo and Graciano, cultivated on the meander of the Ebro River in Rioja Alta. This garnet wine reveals aromas of ash and plum marmalade, with a faintly herbal core and hints of oaky cedar. Dry and lean, the fairly chalky texture lingers long, concluding with a compact, flavorful and lasting finish. The 2012 is a beautiful old-school Rioja." -Vinous

In the legendary city of Haro, capital of La Rioja Alta, perhaps where the extraordinary combination of mild climate and harsh soil is best achieved, are the López de Heredia wineries, the oldest in Haro and one of the first three in La Rioja. The strategic location of its vineyards, the exceptional quality of the plantations, and the varieties used are essential complements in a magnificent winery, whose creation process was similar to the planting of vineyards: slowly, with the utmost care.

Today, these facilities are a model. Bodegas López de Heredia Viña Tondonia, SA sits on a total area of ​​53,076 square meters, of which 19,718 are currently built, with 3,433.41 square meters corresponding to the underground winery, with cellars up to 200 meters long and more than 10 meters deep, bored into the heart of a colossal block of sandstone, flanked by endless rows of barrels. Worthy of special mention are the 72 oak vats, also made from the most diverse sources (Cantabrian, Bosnian, Allier, North American, etc.), built in capacities ranging from 60, 100, 200, 480, and even 640 hectoliters, the largest. Oak wood plays an important role in this winery, as both the fermentation and aging of its wines are carried out in these containers using completely natural and entirely artisanal procedures.

Obtaining the highest quality wines requires a unique agricultural heritage, which allows the winery to overcome its dependence on purchasing grapes from small growers, thus avoiding qualitative diversity in its offerings. Therefore, between 1913 and 1914, Don Rafael López de Heredia y Landeta, while also establishing his industrial facilities, planted Viña Tondonia (pictured above during winter), giving rise to the winery's most famous product. Viña Tondonia is a beautiful vineyard of more than 100 hectares, located on the right bank of the Ebro River, where the most typical Riojan vinifera varieties are grown.