Thinking of Spain, we are thinking of Rioja.

The earliest written evidence of the existence of the grape in La Rioja dates back to 873. As was the case in many Mediterranean lands in mediaeval times, monks were the main practitioners of winemaking in La Rioja and great advocates of its virtues.

Located south of the Cantabrian Mountains along the Ebro river, La Rioja benefits from a continental climate. The mountains help to isolate the region and protect the vineyards from the fierce winds that are typical of northern Spain.

Rioja is further subdivided into three zones: Rioja Alta, Rioja Baja and Rioja Alavesa. Many wines have traditionally blended from all three regions, though there is a slow growth in single-zone wines.