Esperanza Elías

​Esperanza Elías has been the head winemaker at Rioja Vega since 2014. In 2023, she was recognized as one of the Top 100 Master Winemakers by Drinks Business. Her approach combines traditional and modern techniques, with a strong commitment to sustainability, ensuring the production of wines of exceptional quality and uniqueness.

The Rioja wine region, located in northern Spain along the Ebro River, is renowned for its rich winemaking heritage and diverse terroir. Divided into three sub-regions—Rioja Alta, Rioja Alavesa, and Rioja Oriental—each area offers distinct climatic and soil conditions that contribute to the unique profiles of the wines produced. Rioja Alta, characterized by its higher elevation and cooler climate, yields wines with elegance and aging potential. Rioja Alavesa, situated in the Basque Country, features limestone-rich soils that impart complexity and structure to its wines. Rioja Oriental, with a warmer climate, produces wines that are fuller-bodied and fruit-forward. The region primarily cultivates Tempranillo, Garnacha, Mazuelo, and Graciano for reds, and Viura for whites. Rioja's classification system—Crianza, Reserva, and Gran Reserva—indicates the aging process, with Gran Reserva requiring the longest maturation. This combination of diverse terroirs, grape varieties, and stringent aging regulations has solidified Rioja's reputation as a premier wine-producing region, celebrated for its balance of tradition and innovation. ​