Thousands of Londoners toast to 100 years of Rioja at a historic festival

• The weekend-long event held in Hackney Wick brought the centenary of Rioja to the British capital.
• Nearly 5,000 attendees enjoyed a rich programme of wine, gastronomy, culture and festive atmosphere.

Over the past weekend, Rioja celebrated its centenary with a major public event in London, where thousands of British consumers gathered in the vibrant district of Hackney Wick, the cultural heart of East London.

The “Rioja 100” festival transformed Hackney Bridge into a tribute to the 100-year history, diversity and evolution of the Denomination. It was an experiential celebration that blended wine, food and entertainment with a cultural offering deeply connected to the essence of Spain’s most renowned wine region.

Throughout Saturday and Sunday, nearly 5,000 consumers attended the event, where alongside a diverse selection of international cuisine, they had the chance to taste over 70 Rioja wines in an immersive experience that included:

• Masterclasses and panel discussions on Rioja’s diversity, led by winemakers such as Pablo de Simón (Bodegas Valserrano), Gonzalo Salazar (Bodegas Tarón), Sergio Leza (Bodegas Leza García) and Ignacio López (Bodegas Campo Viejo), who shared their personal insights on the roots, trends and future of Rioja wine. These sessions were moderated by Mike Turner, a British wine expert certified by the Regulatory Council as an “Official Rioja Educator”.
• Educational sessions on Rioja hosted by Olly Smith, a well-known figure among British audiences thanks to his appearances on Saturday Kitchen (BBC) and This Morning (ITV).
• Three “Rioja Bars” offering tastings of wines from across the DOCa, showcasing the full range of styles, zones and types.
• Live cooking demonstrations with wine pairings, led by acclaimed Spanish chefs José Pizarro and Omar Allibhoy, who prepared dishes inspired by traditional recipes and modern fusions.
• Live performances, DJ sets, food trucks and traditional dances performed by the Logroño Dance Group, who brought Riojan folklore to London with bagpipes, drums and twelve dancers on stage.

“This initiative strengthens our leadership in the UK and highlights Rioja as a clear symbol of Spanish culture internationally, with the power to bring together thousands of consumers. The festive atmosphere was extraordinary, and throughout the weekend Rioja wines connected directly and emotionally with British consumers, doing so through authenticity, quality and celebration,” said Iñigo Tapiador, Marketing and Communications Director of the Rioja Regulatory Council, who attended the event.

The festival received significant media coverage, with reports from numerous British outlets specialising in wine, food and lifestyle, as well as Spanish correspondents who travelled to Hackney to experience the celebration firsthand and report on it in the national press. Many importers, buyers, sommeliers and wine professionals also took the opportunity to attend and join the celebration.

“London was the perfect setting for this celebration. Its cosmopolitan spirit and vibrant cultural scene allowed us to present the past, present and future of Rioja to a new generation of consumers who value both tradition and innovation,” added Tapiador.

This festival is part of Rioja’s international centenary programme as Spain’s first Designation of Origin, and it reinforces its position as a leading brand in the UK market. In 2024, more than 32 million litres of Rioja wine were exported to the UK, a 12% increase compared to the previous year.