Skip to content

Spain · Rioja

La Rioja Alta

La Rioja Alta is one of Rioja's most respected and historically significant bodegas, founded in 1890 by five families from Rioja Alta and the Basque Country who combined their resources to create a bodega that could produce wines of the highest quality. The bodega is still owned by the founding families, now in the fifth generation, and maintains the traditional approach to Rioja winemaking: long oak aging in American barrique, minimum 10 years for the Gran Reserva 890 and 904, and only releasing wines when they are judged ready to drink. The flagship Gran Reserva 890 (named for the founding year) is made only in exceptional vintages and spends four years in American oak followed by years of bottle aging before release; the 904 is released more frequently and is more accessible in youth. The single-vineyard Viña El Pisón is also produced. At auction, La Rioja Alta wines represent excellent value among serious Rioja producers, with the Gran Reserva 890 from great vintages commanding premium prices for its extraordinary longevity and the complexity that traditional Spanish winemaking delivers.

Founded 1890 by five Rioja and Basque families
Gran Reserva 890 spends 4+ years in American oak
Fifth-generation family ownership
Only releases wines when judged ready — exceptional quality discipline

Auction Lots

866

Avg Price / Bottle

$135

Top Vintage

2005

Price Range

$8 – $2.3k

In the Glass

La Rioja Alta shows traditional Rioja at its finest: Gran Reserva 890 delivers dried cherry, leather, vanilla, cedar, and earthy tobacco with the characteristic coconut note of American oak aging. The wines are mature but never tired, with an elegance and balance that comes from decades of careful cellaring.

Portfolio

WineColourAvg PriceLots SoldTop Vintage
904 Gran ReservaRed$1345452005
Vina Ardanza ReservaRed$741412010
890 Gran ReservaRed$2081392001
Torre de Ona Club De CosecherosRed$81171982
Vina Arana Gran ReservaRed$165142012
Vina Alberdi CrianzaRed$2252006
Vina Alberdi ReservaRed$4251978

Top Auction Houses

klwines

643 lots

spectrum

232 lots

hdh

84 lots

acker

24 lots

unicorn

6 lots

La Rioja Alta is based in the Rioja wine region.

Explore Rioja auction data →

Find Live La Rioja Alta Auctions

Search active lots from Sotheby's, Christie's, Acker and 6 more houses.

Search La Rioja Alta wines →