Centennial in New York

• The DOCa is celebrating its Centennial in the heart of the Big Apple with an exclusive event organized in collaboration with luxury lifestyle magazine Robb Report.
• The Consul General of Spain in New York, along with gastronomy and culture experts, journalists, and influencers, gathered to raise a glass across the Atlantic in celebration of Rioja’s hundredth anniversary.
• Rioja is the leading benchmark for quality Spanish wine in the U.S., its second-largest market by value, with sales increasing by 17% in 2024.

Rioja continues to commemorate its Centennial as Spain’s first Designation of Origin, this time in the heart of Manhattan. This past week, the Regulatory Board of the DOCa hosted an exclusive event in New York City in collaboration with the prestigious magazine Robb Report, an international benchmark in the world of luxury and lifestyle.

The celebration took place at Lavan Chelsea and brought together nearly 150 guests, including members of the magazine’s private club, industry representatives, sommeliers, buyers, specialized journalists, correspondents, and officials — among them, the Consul General of Spain in New York, Ms. Marta de Blas Mayordomo, and representatives from the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Business.

The event offered guests a unique experience that showcased the culture and legacy of Rioja through 17 exceptional and iconic wines from the DOCa. With a carefully curated setting, the gathering paired contemporary art from the region with an exclusive tasting, taking attendees on a journey through the hundred years being celebrated by the Designation — highlighting the different generations that have shaped Rioja’s prestige through its wines.

“Tonight, we’re not just celebrating a hundred years of history — we’re celebrating the connection between two worlds that share the same philosophy: Robb Report and Rioja believe in authenticity, in the kind of excellence that, like fine wine, doesn’t need to shout to leave a lasting impression,” said Iñigo Tapiador, Marketing and Communications Director of the DOCa Rioja Regulatory Board, during the event. “The United States is, without a doubt, a great friend — a market that not only understands our wines but truly feels them, embraces them as part of its lifestyle, and elevates them. And that means a great deal to us.

In a challenging international landscape, gatherings like this not only commemorate and elevate Rioja’s Centennial globally, but also reflect the firm and ongoing commitment of the Designation and the broader wine sector to international promotion in strategic markets like the United States — reaffirming Rioja’s role as the leader in quality Spanish wine and a global point of reference.

In fact, for DOCa Rioja, the United States is the second-largest export market by value and the third by volume, only behind the United Kingdom. In 2024, Rioja’s sales in the U.S. grew by 17% compared to the previous year, surpassing 10.4 million liters.