As a result of the decisions of the extraordinary plenary session held on 29 December 2004:

• All grape growers in the Register of Vineyards are reminded that, according to the stipulations of sections 3 and 4 of art. 6 of the DOCa RIOJA Regulations, the pruning systems will be as follows:
  • Traditional bush or en vaso system and its variants with a maximum load of only 12 buds per vine over a maximum of six spurs.
  • Espalier or trained pruning may be carried out albeit subject to the following requirements:
    • In the double cordon system, the maximum load will be 12 buds distributed over a maximum of six spurs;
    • For the rod and spur system the load will be distributed along a rod and one or two spurs with two buds with a maximum of 10 buds per vine.
  • In any case, for the Garnacha variety, the maximum load will be 14 buds per vine.

With regard to vineyard density, under no circumstances can the maximum number of buds per hectare set out in the Regulations of the Denominación de Origen Calificada Rioja be exceeded.

• The Control Board Plenary reminds grape growers that pruning work in vineyards must be completed within the dormancy period, before bud break. The maximum load limits set out in sections 3 and 4 of the aforementioned Article 6 of the Regulations depending on training system and grape variety shall be adhered to.
• All grape growers are also reminded that usual complementary tasks, the so-called green pruning, carried out after bud break do not exempt from responsibility with respect to disciplinary proceedings that may have been initiated as a result of loads exceeding maximum loads having been detected in vineyards.
• Without prejudice to the provisions of the previous paragraphs 3.a.3, exceptionally, growers may submit an affidavit by 31 January individually detailing those plots which, in their view, based on quality criteria and seeking to better distribute the load, would benefit from a higher number of buds than allowed by Regulations, but never exceeding 4 extra buds, on a temporary basis, together with an undertaking to adjust the load to Regulations by phenological stage H. The affidavit being a sine qua non for such exception, the grower shall expressly recognise liability for failure to comply, as set out in Article 39.1.d) of the Vine and Wine Act subject to such sanctions as are provided for in article 42.2.

Registered stakeholders are hereby notified for such effects as may obtain.

Logroño, 29 December 2004.

THE PRESIDENT,

Víctor Pascual Artacho