2014 Hacienda Lopez de Haro Gran Reserva, Rioja, Spain

ABOUT THIS WINE

A traditionally styled red Rioja from Rioja Alta, made from Tempranillo and Graciano. The fruit comes from selected old, moderately yielding vineyards planted on poor soils on the Ebro River terraces around San Vicente de la Sonsierra. Grapes were harvested by hand between September 24 and October 11, 2014.

The 2014 vintage required careful timing: a dry summer was followed by warmer, wetter conditions in September, so Hacienda López de Haro harvested relatively early to preserve healthy fruit. The resulting wine retained enough freshness to balance its extended maturation.

The grapes underwent a 10-day maceration and controlled fermentation at 25°C (77°F). The wine was then matured for 30 months in French and American oak, with 80% used barrels and 20% new, followed by more than four years of bottle aging before release. That long maturation is central to the wine's Gran Reserva character, allowing the oak, fruit, and tannins to become integrated while retaining acidity and freshness.

ABOUT THIS PRODUCER

Hacienda López de Haro is based in San Vicente de la Sonsierra, one of Rioja’s most celebrated wine villages, nestled between the Sierra Cantabria mountains and the Ebro River. Part of the Vintae family of wineries, the estate was created as a tribute to classic Rioja, drawing on the region’s remarkable heritage of old vineyards and traditional winemaking.

The winery works with carefully selected vineyards throughout Rioja, with a particular focus on old-vine Tempranillo around San Vicente de la Sonsierra. Limestone- and clay-rich soils, higher elevations, and the protective influence of the surrounding mountains help shape the character of these vineyards. Winemaking balances time-honored Rioja techniques with a contemporary focus on freshness, fruit, elegance, and a clear sense of place.

Led by Rioja native Raúl Acha and winemaker Octavio Madurga, Hacienda López de Haro produces wines that honor the region’s history without feeling stuck in the past. Alongside its classic Rioja bottlings, the winery’s ambitious Classica collection celebrates exceptional vintages through extended aging and traditional styles. The result is a thoughtful bridge between old and new Rioja—deeply rooted in tradition, yet approachable and distinctly modern.