Tradition and Future in a Bottle
In the Rioja Alavesa region, Bodegas Heras Cordón is known as a winery where tradition and innovation come together. The Heras Cordón family has been producing red Rioja wines since the 19th century. What began as small-scale production in hand-dug cellars for the local market has grown into a modern winery with international appeal. Quality and respect for the past remain central to everything they do.
From Family Heritage to a Modern Winery
The roots of Bodegas Heras Cordón lie in Lapuebla de Labarca, where the first cellars were carved into earth and stone. In the early years, wine was mainly sold in bulk to local villagers. After a break during the Spanish Civil War, the family resumed winemaking, marking a new era by introducing barrel aging with French oak. This step paved the way for a focus on quality and craftsmanship.
Built with an Eye to the Past
Construction of the current winery began in 1995, on a carefully chosen site in Fuenmayor in the Rioja Alta. Ten meters underground, a cellar was created to allow Crianza and Reserva wines to age under ideal conditions. The building itself breathes history: it was built with stones from abandoned 19th-century railway stations. The entrance is just as special, featuring a restored monastery door from a ruined convent in Segovia, giving the winery a distinctive and welcoming character.
An Exceptional First Vintage
In 2001, the first wine from the new winery was bottled. This vintage was immediately recognized by the Consejo Regulador as a cosecha excelente and even hailed as the “vintage of the century.” A remarkable beginning for a winery where tradition, innovation and expertise go hand in hand.
Wines with Global Recognition
Bodegas Heras Cordón mainly produces red wines under the DOCa Rioja designation. The focus lies on classic Crianza and Reserva wines, which now reach wine lovers all over the world. Grapes are sourced partly from the fifty hectares of estate-owned vineyards around Fuenmayor, and partly from carefully selected local growers managing an additional sixty hectares in top areas such as Cenicero, Navarrete, Laguardia, Elciego, and Lapuebla de Labarca. One of the winery’s most unique clients? Vatican City, where even the papal household serves wine from Rioja.
A Winery in Motion
While continuing to grow, Bodegas Heras Cordón remains rooted in its origins. Deep ties to the Rioja Alavesa, generations of expertise, and an unwavering commitment to quality form the foundation of expressive wines with international reach. In every bottle, the family legacy lives on, ready to be enjoyed by wine lovers around the world.
