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The barrique cellar of El Coto de Rioja

Producer Portrait · Spain

El Coto de Rioja

Over 800 hectares of own vines, including the largest and the highest-altitude site in Rioja.

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Get to know El Coto de Rioja

El Coto de Rioja was founded in 1970 in Oyón in the Rioja Alavesa, with the winery building coming into operation in 1976. Since 1991 the house has belonged to Grupo Barón de Ley. With over 800 hectares of own vineyards, it is one of the largest vine owners in the DOCa Rioja; the quality director cited exactly 825 hectares in 2024.

The largest single vineyard in Rioja

Since 2004, the Finca Los Almendros in Ausejo has been the largest contiguous vineyard in the entire DOCa Rioja by area. The estate deliberately planted Graciano there too, a demanding variety that had long since disappeared elsewhere.

And the highest one too

The Finca Carbonera in Bergasa lies at 840 metres, making it the highest-altitude vineyard in the DOCa Rioja. This is the source of the «875m» line. Since 2017, a dedicated winery has stood directly on the site, so the grapes no longer need to be transported overland first.

Twelve cellars, one for each stage

Rather than one large hall, El Coto runs twelve separate cellar buildings, one for each process stage. Since 2022 the estate has been certified under Wineries for Climate Protection, extended in 2023. 105 hectares have been converted to organic cultivation. Technical director and oenologist is César Fernández.

Facts about the estate

Country & Region
Spain · Rioja
Founded
1970 in Oyón, Rioja Alavesa
Vineyard area
Over 800 hectares under own ownership
Finca Los Almendros
Largest single vineyard in the DOCa Rioja
Finca Carbonera
Highest vineyard in the DOCa Rioja, 840 m above sea level

Grape varieties

  • Tempranillo
  • Graciano
  • Garnacha
  • Maturana
  • Verdejo
  • Sauvignon Blanc
Oenologist César Fernández among the stainless steel tanks of El Coto
The historic bottle cellar of El Coto behind wrought-iron grilles
Vines in front of the bodega of El Coto in Oyón

«The greatness of things lies in the small details. The small details are the essence of El Coto de Rioja.»

El Coto de Rioja

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