Marques de Riscal - Elciego, Spain - Wineries on Waymarking.com

The company was founded by Camilo Hurtado de Amézaga, 6th Marquess of Riscal in 1858 after inheriting a series of wineries in Elciego from his father.

In 2006 the Elciego wineries were transformed into the City of Wine, a complex that includes the primary wineries, the most modern ones, the vineyards and a leisure complex that includes the Marqués de Riscal Hotel, an emblematic building designed by the architect Frank Gehry and inaugurated by Juan Carlos I in 2003.

Since its origin in the 19th century, Marqués de Riscal has produced Rioja wine, but in 1972 it also settled in Rueda to produce white wine that in 1980 would receive the designation of origin of Rueda wine. Riscal was the first non-French wine to receive a Honorific Diploma at the International Wine Exposition of Bordeaux, in 1895.

It was Camilo Hurtado de Amézaga, 6th Marquess of Riscal, who was the driving force behind the creation of the wineries that bear the name of "Herederos del Marqués de Riscal" (Heirs of the Marquess of Riscal). He was residing in Bordeaux when he received the order from the Provincial Council of Álava to hire an oenologist who could teach the region's growers the techniques used in the Médoc, to produce wines according to the French system. The chosen expert was Jean Pineau, cellar master of the Château Lanessan cellars, with whom he signed, representing the Provincial Council, a contract to advise Álava producers. Hurtado then sent "9,000 fully guaranteed vine shoots" to the Rioja Alavesa, of the following types: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec and Pinot noir, to experiment in their vineyards, where grapes had been grown of the Tempranillo and Graciano varieties.

In 1858 Hurtado, who had inherited some wineries in Elciego from his father, founded the wineries applying the techniques used in France, and hired Pineau full-time, who had stopped working for the deputation. In the 1895 edition of the International Exposition of Bordeaux, Marqués de Riscal became the first non-French winery to receive the Diploma of Honor.

Within the Rioja designation of origin, Marqués de Riscal sells red wine with the labels Frank Gehry Selection 2001, Barón de Chirel, Marqués de Riscal 150 Anniversary, Marqués de Riscal Gran Reserva, Finca Torrea, Marqués de Riscal Reserva, Marqués de Riscal Rosado and Marqués de Arienzo.

Winery Size: Super Large 100,000 Cases or More Attached vineyard?: yes Tasting Room Available?: yes Days and hours of operation: Open from Monday to Sunday from 10.00 am to 19.00pm. Charge for tasting?: 5.00 (listed in local currency) Tours Available: yes Cost of Tour: 25.00 (listed in local currency) Phone #: +34 945 180 888 Address: Torrea, 1 01340 Elciego, Álava Winery, Wine Cooperative, or Tasting Center's Website: [Web Link] Types of wines: Not listed Best Wine Tasted: Not listed Rate the Best Wine Tasted: Not listed Price per Bottle: Not Listed 2nd Best Wine Tasted: Not listed Rate the 2nd Best Wine Tasted: Not listed Price per Bottle #2: Not Listed Winery Club: Not listed Wine Club Description:: Not listed Overall Comments:: Not listed

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