Vinedos del Contino, a project founded in 1973, is one of the Rioja producers who have imported the chateau principle from Bordeaux to the region. Among other things, this means that only grapes from their own parcels are used for wine production, in contrast to many other producers who also buy grapes from grape growers. Behind the project is none other than the "Compania Vinicola del Norte de Espana", which has written Rioja wine history under the abbreviation CVNE and has long enjoyed something of a cult status among fans of these wines. Not only because of the wines, but also because the architect of the famous Eiffel Tower, Gustav Eiffel, left his mark here. Contino is located in the Rioja Alevesa sub-region. The estate itself dates back to the 16th century. However, the parcels of 62 hectares of vines are located in vineyards that were already mentioned by name for viticulture a good 1,000 years ago. In 2004, the winery was virtually reinvented with a new building. The vineyards, from which the grapes for the exceptional wines come, surround the impressive estate. In the cultivation and maturation of the wines, Contino not only relies on Temrpanillo, but also gives the other grape varieties permitted for Rioja, such as Mazuelo, Garnacha and Graciano, sufficient space to demonstrate their true qualities. However, the declared aim is to reflect the diverse terroir of Alevesa with its Atlantic and Mediterranean climate in the wines. The fact that Contino succeeds in doing this convincingly is not only demonstrated by the high ratings that the wines receive in the relevant international wine magazines, but also by the fact that spectacular new start-ups in the recent past, such as Remelluri or Artadi, have adopted precisely this chateau concept. Of course, the classic Rioja quality levels such as Reserva or Gran Reserva are produced, but with the Vina del Olivo also a very unusual wine from a small single vineyard in an olive grove, and - just as original - a single-varietal Graciano. Today, some 50 years after its foundation, it is safe to say that Contino has arrived at the very top of the Rioja wine estates.
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