2016 Lopez de Heredia Viña Tondonia Gravonia Blanco
| Type of Wine | |
|---|---|
| Country | |
| Region | |
| Appellation | Rioja Alta |
| Winery | |
| Vintage | 2016 |
| Grape | , , , |
| Content (Alc) | 0.75 ltr (13.5%) |
| Drink window | 2024 - 2034 |
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Description
The Lopez de Heredia Viña Tondonia Gravonia Blanco is a real traditional oak matured and very old Rioja coming from very old Viura vines (90 years old!) located on gravel soils. Everything continues using nature and very authentic and no yeasts are added. The Gravonia ferments in hundred year old barrels and matures for 4 years in used barriques. It was bottled unfiltered. The Gravonia has the right balance between youth and freshness and the more developed aromas. The notes of dried flowers, honey, nuts are mixed with aromas of quince, medlar and other yellow fruit, with hints of saffron and spices, quite developed. The taste is very nice with those typical oxidative notes and ends with a salty aftertaste. Year in, year out this is one of the most sought after wines next to those of Remirez de Ganuza (also very nice white but more modern and more on the fruit). The wine is perfectly drinkable now, but has a drinking window until at least 2030. Try it with grilled sea bream, calvados brie or epoisse. Always very scarce.
95/100 Parker / 96/100 Suckling
There is a whole history behind making these unique wines possible. It all started in the mid-nineteenth century when French negociants entered the Rioja in search of alternative sources to transform quality grapes into wine, as the phylloxera epidemic had decimated their vineyards. The founder: Don Rafael López de Heredia y Landeta followed in the footsteps of the French and learned the art of winemaking. Don Rafael fell in love with the region and in particular the area around Haro, the mythical capital of the Rioja Alta region. He noticed that there was a magical combination of soil and climate and that this was the perfect environment for wine production. Around 1877 he began the design and construction of the complex that is now known as the López de Heredia bodega (winery), the oldest in Haro and one of the first three bodegas in the Rioja. Bodegas Lopez de Heredia distinguishes itself as one of the few private (family) bodegas of such size. For more than a century they have been making wine in a classic way, but they also move with the times. Love for their own vineyards and strict quality requirements make this a fantastic wine family that brings wonderfully elegant and subtle Riojas to the market. The Gran Reserva is kept in barrels for at least 9 years and then in the bottle for a considerable time before the wine is allowed on the market. The nose consists of spicy, leather, tobacco, fruit liqueur and something of pastry bakery.
Specifications
| Packing information | Box |
|---|---|
| Type of Wine | White |
| Country | Spain |
| Region | Rioja |
| Appellation | Rioja Alta |
| Winery | Lopez De Heredia |
| Grape | Garnacha, Graciano, Mazuelo, Tempranillo |
| Biological certified | No |
| Natural wine | No |
| Vegan | No |
| Vintage | 2016 |
| Drinking as of | 2024 |
| Drinking till | 2034 |
| Alcohol % | 13.5 |
| Alcohol free/low | No |
| Content | 0.75 ltr |
| Oak aging | Yes |
| Sparkling | No |
| Dessert wine | No |
| Closure | Cork |
| Parker rating | 95 |
| James Suckling rating | 96 |
| Vinous rating | 93 |
| Tasting Profiles | Droog, Houtgerijpt, Strak, Wit fruit |
| Drink moments | Met vrienden, Open haard |
Professional Reviews
Parker
The Wine Advocate
RP 95
Reviewed by:
Luis Gutiérrez
Release Price:
$50
Drink Date:
2025 - 2032
2016 was a superb vintage in Rioja, and the 2016 Viña Gravonia Blanco, which has the cellar aroma that all the wines, especially the whites, have, due to the longer time the wines spend in barrel. The white vines in this vineyard are now 92 years old and their juice was fermented in old oak vats with indigenous yeasts. They explained, "We have never used selected yeasts." It was matured in their well-seasoned American oak barrels for four years. It's paler than any of the other whites, and it has a little less pungency, with very good freshness. It's elegant, subtle, clean and ethereal. They had good yields and a good climatic year. 42,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in November 2022. I give these wines a conservative drinking window, but they will probably last much longer.
Mercedes López de Heredia told me, "We are fighting very hard to not change anything. Before, we were going against the flow, and now we are overwhelmed by demand." It was amazing to taste with Mercedes and her sister María José, who didn't stop talking the whole four hours it took us to go through the current releases. "I've been experimenting with stuff to seal the vats and the barrels, I've mixed beeswax with oil, and I've invented a kind of plasticine with the bitartrates but it's not fully waterproof. We used things that we cannot use anymore, and we have to find alternatives. Everything is a challenge nowadays." The two sisters speak with passion about their traditions and what her grandfather and father did for the family winery. The wines have not changed even if they have to adapt to new regulations that prevent them from working exactly as it was done in the past.
We talked about everything, including the "new" white varieties—they have some experimental plantings—though they are not very impressed by Tempranillo Blanco. "It's not very aromatic and so far, doesn't show the vibrancy of the old Viura, and we have so little Maturana Blanca that we cannot vinify it separately." As for the rosé, they explain, "We didn't have enough Garnacha to make it, so there won't be any rosé available until 2026 or so." I guess from the 2016 vintage...
There was talk about vintages and of course the recent harvest. "In 2023, we harvested in September, and it was extremely warm. For the first time, we didn't harvest in the afternoon because it was too hot." For María José, 2016 was the last classical vintage in Rioja Alta, perhaps only 2021. It's very much in the style of 2001. The wines from 2016 showed exceptionally well, but the show was stolen by the Gran Reserva bottlings from 2004; both wines from the Viña Tondonia deserve three-digit scores.
Published: Feb 29, 2024
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
James Suckling
Score
96
Avg Price (ex-tax)
$ 45
López de Heredia Rioja Crianza Viña Gravonia 2016
Monday, Aug 05, 2024
Color
White
Country
Spain
Region
La Rioja
Vintage
2016
Aromas of cashews, roasted almonds, saffron, white truffles, honey, dried lemons and beeswax. Bright acidity with cream, nuts and subtle white fruit on the palate. Long and savory in nature. Such a beautiful wine with a finish that lasts a minute. Classic Lopez de Heredia and one of the best. 100% viura. Drink or hold.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
Vinous
93
Drinking Window
2024 - 2036
From: The Many Riojas of Rioja: A Tale of Forking Paths (Apr 2024)
Whites from López de Heredia are legendary, and Viña Gravonia rightfully earns its place in the pantheon. The 2016 Blanco Crianza Viña Gravonia, 100% Viura sourced from the Gravonia vineyard in Rioja Alta, underwent four years of aging in old foudres followed by an additional four years in bottle. This yellow wine with a subtle golden sheen features aromas of peach and fennel, accompanied by a floral tea note and a delicate layer of oak. Dry and refreshing, it possesses a bold texture. This flavorful white lingers on the palate with a hazelnut tone.
- By Joaquín Hidalgo on December 2023
If there’s a winery in Rioja that cherishes the past, it’s López de Heredia. Located in the Barrio de la Estación area in Haro, here, the team led by María José López de Heredia believes that the pioneers who distinguished themselves in the 19th century by digging their first cellar-caves are very much worthy of veneration. I first visited this winery a few years ago, but on this occasion, my visit coincided with a planned blackout that showed the place in a new light. Walking through the damp, mossy passages by torchlight was a thrilling, mystical experience. When I was there before, the past certainly had a tangible presence, but this time, the dark galleries, labyrinthine tunnels and monumental bottle racks took on a life of their own as they rose up in the darkness. Shadowy mystique aside—although candlelight tours might not be a bad idea at all—the winery pays homage to its past and its vineyards. The fact that they are only now releasing their 2004 Viña Tondonia Gran Reserva ought to give you a good idea. Rooted in tradition, they make and cure their own barrels and casks to develop a mellow, complex character over years of aging.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
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Wijnhuis
López de Heredia stands as a consistent reference within Rioja. The family estate has worked since 1877 with a focus on long ageing, strict selection and controlled cellar methods. Every wine results from patience and experience. This approach delivers tension, clarity and structure.
López de Heredia winery in Rioja
In the 19th century, French merchants travelled through the region to find grapes for their own production. Don Rafael López de Heredia y Landeta took over their vineyards and recognised the potential of the area. He saw that the climate and the soil offered ideal conditions for quality wine. In 1877 he founded the winery in Haro. The estate grew through consistent care for each vineyard. This mindset remains visible in all cuvées. The wines belong to the leading wines of Rioja.
López de Heredia Viña Tondonia is the oldest winery in Haro and one of the first four producers in La Rioja. Strategic locations, strong vineyard parcels and fitting grape varieties result in wines with a clear profile. These wines remain important references within Spanish wine culture.
The most famous vineyard is Tondonia. It lies along the Ebro and spans around one hundred hectares. The name refers to the river bend where the vineyard sits. The estate also owns Viña Cubillo, Viña Bosconia and Viña Gravonia in Rioja Alta. Each parcel contributes fruit with its own character.
López de Heredia vineyards and grape varieties
Vineyards around Haro combine clay, limestone and river deposits. Summers stay warm with cool nights. This balance preserves tension in the fruit. Red wines rely on Tempranillo supported by Garnacha, Mazuelo and Graciano. White wines use Viura as the base, complemented by Malvasia. This combination delivers freshness, length and stability.
López de Heredia vinification and ageing
The cellar forms an essential part of the estate. An in-house cooperage maintains every barrel. This ensures full control over wood quality. Fermentation takes place in traditional vats. Ageing occurs in old American oak. Red wines remain three to six years in barrels. White wines follow similar timelines. After bottling, the wines continue ageing for many years in the cellar.
Style of López de Heredia wines
Red wines show a lean structure, soft tannins and bright acidity. Aromas include red fruit, dried herbs and light oak tones. White wines combine fresh acidity with oxidative depth. Rosado stands as a separate style. Viña Tondonia Rosado spends long periods in barrel and bottle and shows notable complexity.
López de Heredia Viña Tondonia and other cuvées
Viña Tondonia Reserva remains a stable reference within Rioja. The fruit comes from the vineyard along the Ebro. Viña Bosconia Reserva gives fuller aromas and warmer tones. Gran Reservas age longer in barrel and bottle. Viña Tondonia Blanco Reserva uses Viura and Malvasia with extended ageing. Blanco Gran Reserva appears only in strong years.
López de Heredia vineyard work
Soil health forms the foundation of the estate. Natural ground cover, manual pruning and careful selection result in healthy fruit. This approach ensures clear expression and stable profiles in all wines.
Some Facts about López de Heredia
The family keeps original documents in which Don Rafael recorded every cellar movement. The cooperage has maintained all barrels for more than a century. Several fermentation vats have stood in the cellar since the 19th century and remain in use. A dedicated room stores labels and capsules from all periods. The estate holds bottles from nearly every vintage since the beginning. Viña Tondonia Rosado once disappeared from the market and returned due to requests from wine lovers.
The Lopez de Heredia Viña Tondonia Gravonia Blanco is a real traditional oak matured and very old Rioja coming from very old Viura vines (90 years old!) located on gravel soils. Everything continues using nature and very authentic and no yeasts are added. The Gravonia ferments in hundred year old barrels and matures for 4 years in used barriques. It was bottled unfiltered. The Gravonia has the right balance between youth and freshness and the more developed aromas. The notes of dried flowers, honey, nuts are mixed with aromas of quince, medlar and other yellow fruit, with hints of saffron and spices, quite developed. The taste is very nice with those typical oxidative notes and ends with a salty aftertaste. Year in, year out this is one of the most sought after wines next to those of Remirez de Ganuza (also very nice white but more modern and more on the fruit). The wine is perfectly drinkable now, but has a drinking window until at least 2030. Try it with grilled sea bream, calvados brie or epoisse. Always very scarce.
95/100 Parker / 96/100 Suckling
There is a whole history behind making these unique wines possible. It all started in the mid-nineteenth century when French negociants entered the Rioja in search of alternative sources to transform quality grapes into wine, as the phylloxera epidemic had decimated their vineyards. The founder: Don Rafael López de Heredia y Landeta followed in the footsteps of the French and learned the art of winemaking. Don Rafael fell in love with the region and in particular the area around Haro, the mythical capital of the Rioja Alta region. He noticed that there was a magical combination of soil and climate and that this was the perfect environment for wine production. Around 1877 he began the design and construction of the complex that is now known as the López de Heredia bodega (winery), the oldest in Haro and one of the first three bodegas in the Rioja. Bodegas Lopez de Heredia distinguishes itself as one of the few private (family) bodegas of such size. For more than a century they have been making wine in a classic way, but they also move with the times. Love for their own vineyards and strict quality requirements make this a fantastic wine family that brings wonderfully elegant and subtle Riojas to the market. The Gran Reserva is kept in barrels for at least 9 years and then in the bottle for a considerable time before the wine is allowed on the market. The nose consists of spicy, leather, tobacco, fruit liqueur and something of pastry bakery.
| Packing information | Box |
|---|---|
| Type of Wine | White |
| Country | Spain |
| Region | Rioja |
| Appellation | Rioja Alta |
| Winery | Lopez De Heredia |
| Grape | Garnacha, Graciano, Mazuelo, Tempranillo |
| Biological certified | No |
| Natural wine | No |
| Vegan | No |
| Vintage | 2016 |
| Drinking as of | 2024 |
| Drinking till | 2034 |
| Alcohol % | 13.5 |
| Alcohol free/low | No |
| Content | 0.75 ltr |
| Oak aging | Yes |
| Sparkling | No |
| Dessert wine | No |
| Closure | Cork |
| Parker rating | 95 |
| James Suckling rating | 96 |
| Vinous rating | 93 |
| Tasting Profiles | Droog, Houtgerijpt, Strak, Wit fruit |
| Drink moments | Met vrienden, Open haard |
Parker
The Wine Advocate
RP 95
Reviewed by:
Luis Gutiérrez
Release Price:
$50
Drink Date:
2025 - 2032
2016 was a superb vintage in Rioja, and the 2016 Viña Gravonia Blanco, which has the cellar aroma that all the wines, especially the whites, have, due to the longer time the wines spend in barrel. The white vines in this vineyard are now 92 years old and their juice was fermented in old oak vats with indigenous yeasts. They explained, "We have never used selected yeasts." It was matured in their well-seasoned American oak barrels for four years. It's paler than any of the other whites, and it has a little less pungency, with very good freshness. It's elegant, subtle, clean and ethereal. They had good yields and a good climatic year. 42,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in November 2022. I give these wines a conservative drinking window, but they will probably last much longer.
Mercedes López de Heredia told me, "We are fighting very hard to not change anything. Before, we were going against the flow, and now we are overwhelmed by demand." It was amazing to taste with Mercedes and her sister María José, who didn't stop talking the whole four hours it took us to go through the current releases. "I've been experimenting with stuff to seal the vats and the barrels, I've mixed beeswax with oil, and I've invented a kind of plasticine with the bitartrates but it's not fully waterproof. We used things that we cannot use anymore, and we have to find alternatives. Everything is a challenge nowadays." The two sisters speak with passion about their traditions and what her grandfather and father did for the family winery. The wines have not changed even if they have to adapt to new regulations that prevent them from working exactly as it was done in the past.
We talked about everything, including the "new" white varieties—they have some experimental plantings—though they are not very impressed by Tempranillo Blanco. "It's not very aromatic and so far, doesn't show the vibrancy of the old Viura, and we have so little Maturana Blanca that we cannot vinify it separately." As for the rosé, they explain, "We didn't have enough Garnacha to make it, so there won't be any rosé available until 2026 or so." I guess from the 2016 vintage...
There was talk about vintages and of course the recent harvest. "In 2023, we harvested in September, and it was extremely warm. For the first time, we didn't harvest in the afternoon because it was too hot." For María José, 2016 was the last classical vintage in Rioja Alta, perhaps only 2021. It's very much in the style of 2001. The wines from 2016 showed exceptionally well, but the show was stolen by the Gran Reserva bottlings from 2004; both wines from the Viña Tondonia deserve three-digit scores.
Published: Feb 29, 2024
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
James Suckling
Score
96
Avg Price (ex-tax)
$ 45
López de Heredia Rioja Crianza Viña Gravonia 2016
Monday, Aug 05, 2024
Color
White
Country
Spain
Region
La Rioja
Vintage
2016
Aromas of cashews, roasted almonds, saffron, white truffles, honey, dried lemons and beeswax. Bright acidity with cream, nuts and subtle white fruit on the palate. Long and savory in nature. Such a beautiful wine with a finish that lasts a minute. Classic Lopez de Heredia and one of the best. 100% viura. Drink or hold.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
Vinous
93
Drinking Window
2024 - 2036
From: The Many Riojas of Rioja: A Tale of Forking Paths (Apr 2024)
Whites from López de Heredia are legendary, and Viña Gravonia rightfully earns its place in the pantheon. The 2016 Blanco Crianza Viña Gravonia, 100% Viura sourced from the Gravonia vineyard in Rioja Alta, underwent four years of aging in old foudres followed by an additional four years in bottle. This yellow wine with a subtle golden sheen features aromas of peach and fennel, accompanied by a floral tea note and a delicate layer of oak. Dry and refreshing, it possesses a bold texture. This flavorful white lingers on the palate with a hazelnut tone.
- By Joaquín Hidalgo on December 2023
If there’s a winery in Rioja that cherishes the past, it’s López de Heredia. Located in the Barrio de la Estación area in Haro, here, the team led by María José López de Heredia believes that the pioneers who distinguished themselves in the 19th century by digging their first cellar-caves are very much worthy of veneration. I first visited this winery a few years ago, but on this occasion, my visit coincided with a planned blackout that showed the place in a new light. Walking through the damp, mossy passages by torchlight was a thrilling, mystical experience. When I was there before, the past certainly had a tangible presence, but this time, the dark galleries, labyrinthine tunnels and monumental bottle racks took on a life of their own as they rose up in the darkness. Shadowy mystique aside—although candlelight tours might not be a bad idea at all—the winery pays homage to its past and its vineyards. The fact that they are only now releasing their 2004 Viña Tondonia Gran Reserva ought to give you a good idea. Rooted in tradition, they make and cure their own barrels and casks to develop a mellow, complex character over years of aging.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
Exclusive Content
Sign in to unlock professional wine reviews from world-renowned critics
López de Heredia stands as a consistent reference within Rioja. The family estate has worked since 1877 with a focus on long ageing, strict selection and controlled cellar methods. Every wine results from patience and experience. This approach delivers tension, clarity and structure.
López de Heredia winery in Rioja
In the 19th century, French merchants travelled through the region to find grapes for their own production. Don Rafael López de Heredia y Landeta took over their vineyards and recognised the potential of the area. He saw that the climate and the soil offered ideal conditions for quality wine. In 1877 he founded the winery in Haro. The estate grew through consistent care for each vineyard. This mindset remains visible in all cuvées. The wines belong to the leading wines of Rioja.
López de Heredia Viña Tondonia is the oldest winery in Haro and one of the first four producers in La Rioja. Strategic locations, strong vineyard parcels and fitting grape varieties result in wines with a clear profile. These wines remain important references within Spanish wine culture.
The most famous vineyard is Tondonia. It lies along the Ebro and spans around one hundred hectares. The name refers to the river bend where the vineyard sits. The estate also owns Viña Cubillo, Viña Bosconia and Viña Gravonia in Rioja Alta. Each parcel contributes fruit with its own character.
López de Heredia vineyards and grape varieties
Vineyards around Haro combine clay, limestone and river deposits. Summers stay warm with cool nights. This balance preserves tension in the fruit. Red wines rely on Tempranillo supported by Garnacha, Mazuelo and Graciano. White wines use Viura as the base, complemented by Malvasia. This combination delivers freshness, length and stability.
López de Heredia vinification and ageing
The cellar forms an essential part of the estate. An in-house cooperage maintains every barrel. This ensures full control over wood quality. Fermentation takes place in traditional vats. Ageing occurs in old American oak. Red wines remain three to six years in barrels. White wines follow similar timelines. After bottling, the wines continue ageing for many years in the cellar.
Style of López de Heredia wines
Red wines show a lean structure, soft tannins and bright acidity. Aromas include red fruit, dried herbs and light oak tones. White wines combine fresh acidity with oxidative depth. Rosado stands as a separate style. Viña Tondonia Rosado spends long periods in barrel and bottle and shows notable complexity.
López de Heredia Viña Tondonia and other cuvées
Viña Tondonia Reserva remains a stable reference within Rioja. The fruit comes from the vineyard along the Ebro. Viña Bosconia Reserva gives fuller aromas and warmer tones. Gran Reservas age longer in barrel and bottle. Viña Tondonia Blanco Reserva uses Viura and Malvasia with extended ageing. Blanco Gran Reserva appears only in strong years.
López de Heredia vineyard work
Soil health forms the foundation of the estate. Natural ground cover, manual pruning and careful selection result in healthy fruit. This approach ensures clear expression and stable profiles in all wines.
Some Facts about López de Heredia
The family keeps original documents in which Don Rafael recorded every cellar movement. The cooperage has maintained all barrels for more than a century. Several fermentation vats have stood in the cellar since the 19th century and remain in use. A dedicated room stores labels and capsules from all periods. The estate holds bottles from nearly every vintage since the beginning. Viña Tondonia Rosado once disappeared from the market and returned due to requests from wine lovers.
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