A new vintage of a wine from a unique vineyard: Tarón Cepas Centenarias 2022
17/06/2026
At Bodegas Tarón, we often say that our wines are born in the vineyard. Behind every bottle lies a landscape, a climate, a way of working and, above all, a terroir that imbues every vine with its own character.
Territorio Tarón encompasses the vineyards of four villages in the Rioja Alta: Cuzcurrita de Río Tirón, Tirgo, Sajazarra and Villaseca, where different altitudes, aspect and soil types coexist.
This diversity is one of our cooperative’s greatest treasures and one of the key factors that define the character of our wines.
As our oenologist, Laura Manzanos, explains, in the Tarón region we find three main types of soil: gravelly, clayey and sandy. Each imparts different characteristics to the vines and the wine, creating a richness that is hard to find in more homogeneous regions.
Gravel: composition and structure
Gravel soils are found in the lowest-lying areas of our territory, at an altitude of around 500 metres. They consist of boulders and have a very loose structure, are low in organic matter and have excellent drainage.
These characteristics force the vine to send its roots deeper in search of water and nutrients. As a result, the plant naturally limits its yield and focuses its resources more effectively on the grapes.
From these vineyards, we harvest grapes that are more fully ripened and have lower acidity, resulting in wines with greater body, structure and a sense of ripeness.
Clay soil: balance and freshness
As we gain altitude, between 500 and 650 metres, clay soils begin to appear.
These soils are more compact and deeper, with a high capacity to retain water and nutrients.
This water reserve is particularly valuable in drier vintages, as it helps to ensure the vines develop in a balanced way throughout the growing season.
As the vines are situated at higher altitudes, the grapes ripen more slowly and gradually, which helps to better preserve their natural acidity. The result is fresh, well-balanced wines with a distinct tension on the palate.
Sandy soil: elegance and aromatic expression
In the higher-lying areas of Territorio Tarón, we also find sandy soils. These are light, well-aerated soils that are easy to work and promote excellent root development.
Although they have a lower capacity to retain nutrients than clay soils, their good drainage and the influence of altitude help to produce high-quality grapes.
Wines from these vineyards are often noted for their finesse, elegance and aromatic profile. They have softer tannins and a delicate character that perfectly reflects the uniqueness of these plots.
The importance of the age of the vineyard
As well as the soil, another key factor at Territorio Tarón is the age of our vines. The average age of the vineyard is around 30 years, which gives the vines a natural balance.
Mature vines grow at a more moderate rate and produce a more consistent yield, allowing the differences between the various soil types to be expressed more harmoniously in the grapes and, subsequently, in the wine.
A diverse region that finds expression in every glass
The combination of altitude, climate, the age of the vineyard and the diversity of soils makes Territorio Tarón a unique viticultural mosaic within the Rioja Alta.
Gravel, clay and sand are all part of the same identity. Three distinct ways of understanding the soil which, combined with the work of our winegrowers and the knowledge passed down from generation to generation, give rise to wines with their own distinct character and a deep connection to their origins.
Because every wine tells a story. And at Territorio Tarón, that story begins right beneath our feet.
