A Royal Toast to 100 Years of Rioja

• His Majesty King Felipe VI presided over the centenary celebration of the Rioja Qualified Designation of Origin (DOCa) held today, in the presence of the Minister of Agriculture, Luis Planas, and the presidents of the three Autonomous Communities where the Denomination is located: Gonzalo Capellán (La Rioja), Imanol Pradales (Basque Country), and María Chivite (Navarre).
• The historic wineries of Marqués de Riscal and Marqués de Murrieta, along with the iconic Barrio de la Estación in Haro, served as the venues for the three commemorative events, which brought together key figures from the wine sector as well as high-level institutional and business representatives.
• With more than 13,000 winegrowers and nearly 600 wineries, Rioja—the first Designation of Origin established in Spain, present in 136 countries and representing over 40% of the value of DO wines in the country—looks to the future with pride and optimism, as a national and international leader and benchmark.

His Majesty King Felipe VI presided over the centenary celebration of the Rioja Qualified Designation of Origin (DOCa), held today in the presence of Spain’s Minister of Agriculture, Luis Planas. The historic wineries of Marqués de Riscal and Marqués de Murrieta, along with the iconic Barrio de la Estación in Haro, hosted the three commemorative events, which brought together key figures from the wine sector as well as high-level institutional and business representatives.

With over 13,000 winegrowers and nearly 600 wineries, Rioja—the first Designation of Origin established in Spain, present in 136 countries and representing over 40% of the value of DO wines in the country—looks to the future with pride and optimism as a national and international leader.

Founded in 1925, the DOCa Rioja celebrated its 100th anniversary with a historic day led by King Felipe VI. The event highlighted the legacy, present, and future of this leading wine region.

The celebration gathered institutional, business, and wine industry representatives. One of the most notable moments was the official ceremony at Marqués de Riscal Winery in Elciego, where the King was joined by Minister Luis Planas and the presidents of the three autonomous communities that make up the DOCa Rioja: La Rioja, the Basque Country, and Navarre.

Around 300 guests attended the event, which featured the symbolic opening of bottles from the 1925 vintage, allowing attendees—including the King—to taste a century-old wine. This act was described as both a tribute to the past and a promise for the future. Fernando Ezquerro, president of the Regulatory Council, remarked: “It will be a Rioja from the 1925 harvest, preserved for a century as a witness to our shared history and still full of strength, that will accompany us in this commemoration.”

After the ceremony, the King toured the winery, greeting over a hundred winemakers and businesspeople. A tribute was also paid to former presidents of the Regulatory Council—Fernando Salamero, José María Daroca, Luis Alberto Lecea, and Víctor Pascual—who received a unique engraving by Rioja artist José Antonio Olarte in recognition of their service. Ezquerro expressed his gratitude and emphasized the importance of their legacy: “The effort and forward-thinking vision of those who came before us have been fundamental pillars for Rioja to reach this level of excellence.”

The event concluded with a royal toast to the centenary, honoring 100 years of the Designation of Origin. Today, Rioja includes over 13,000 winegrowers and nearly 600 wineries, accounts for more than 40% of the value of DO wines in Spain, generates an annual business volume of €1.5 billion, and exports to 136 countries, representing 39% of Spain’s wine exports.

The Barrio de la Estación in Haro: cradle of Rioja and its Identity

Before the reception at Marqués de Riscal, King Felipe VI visited the Barrio de la Estación in Haro, a key site in Rioja’s history. Developed around the railway station in the 19th century, this neighborhood was crucial to the growth and expansion of the Designation of Origin.

Accompanied by regional authorities and members of the Regulatory Council, the King toured some of the most iconic and historic wineries, greeting employees and locals. He also spoke with local winemakers. “Much of the prestige and international character of our Designation was forged here,” said Ezquerro.

The visit concluded with the inauguration of the “Rioja Centenary Space,” located in the heart of the Barrio, and a sculpture by José Antonio Olarte, donated by the Regulatory Council. The artwork represents Rioja’s 100 years through 100 iron pieces symbolizing the natural cycles and collective effort of generations of winegrowers. Ezquerro described it as “an open, unfinished sphere to which we will continue adding new pieces, generations, harvests, challenges, and joys.”

Rioja: a National Brand with International Prestige

The day also featured the Spanish Leading Brands Forum, organized by Europa Press at the historic Marqués de Murrieta Winery in Logroño. Chaired by Minister Luis Planas, the forum emphasized the wine sector’s role as an economic driver, a symbol of social cohesion, and a flagship of the Spain Brand abroad.

Vicente Cebrián-Sagarriga, president of Marqués de Murrieta, welcomed representatives from major companies such as Repsol, Santander, Mapfre, Iberdrola, and CaixaBank. Ezquerro highlighted Rioja’s visionary origins: “Rioja’s story began like any great enterprise—with a bold and pioneering vision.”

The roundtable featured Simón Pedro Barceló (Barceló Hotel Group), Roberto Monteagudo (FCC Construcción), Antonio de Nó (Air Nostrum), Vicente Cebrián-Sagarriga (Marqués de Riscal), and José Luis Lapuente (Regulatory Council), moderated by Candelas Martín de Cabiedes (Europa Press). They shared strategies for success, brand values, and insights on global competitiveness, underscoring Rioja’s role as a model of leadership and excellence.