Century-old vineyards, the origin of an exceptional wine

In the heart of Rioja Alta, in a place called El Monte, there are vines that have stood the test of time. These are centuries-old vines with more than 100 years of history—some of them could be as old as 120—that continue to produce one of our most unique and renowned wines: Tarón Cepas Centenarias.

These vines are part of the area’s oldest wine-growing heritage, as they belong to the first vineyards planted after the devastation caused by phylloxera. Their yield is very low—barely 3,000 kilograms per hectare—but each bunch they produce contains an extraordinary concentration of aromas, nuances and authenticity.

They grow on poor, sandy soil with large limestone rocks protruding from the surface. For decades, the roots of the vines have had to dig deep to find moisture and nutrients in the deeper layers of the soil. It is a difficult vineyard to work: the planting layout is very narrow, as it was in the past, and requires lighter and more precise machinery to carry out the work. ‘Its yields are very low compared to those of a young vineyard, but each vine is cared for with great care and affection, because we know that the fruit it gives us is of exceptional quality, year after year,’ says Laura Manzanos, oenologist at Bodegas Tarón.

Their preservation would not be possible without the dedication of those who have cared for them generation after generation. At least four generations of the same family have worked these lands with patience, respect and wisdom passed down through the generations. Vineyards like this are becoming increasingly rare, but their value is incalculable: they are the living memory of the land, sustained by hands that know each vine as if it were part of their family history.

“For us, these vineyards are true gems of viticulture. We feel a responsibility to care for them and keep them alive, because they are part of our heritage and our identity,” explains Laura Manzanos.

Best Red Wine from Rioja Alta

In its short history, Tarón Cepas Centenarias 2021—with only 3,200 bottles on the market—has already been awarded the highest honour in one of the most influential competitions in the world of wine: the International Wine Challenge 2025. Here, it received 96 points, a Gold Medal and the Rioja Alta Trophy, accrediting it as the Best Rioja Alta Red Wine of this edition.

This international recognition confirms the quality of the wine and the collective work of a cooperative made up of 213 winegrowing families from four villages —Cuzcurrita, Tirgo, Sajazarra and Villaseca— who have committed to a way of making wine based on deep roots, respect for the land and the legacy of previous generations.

These wines symbolise who we are and where we want to go. Because in every glass there are roots, time and pride, and each of our bottles contains a landscape, a story and a home.