In many ways, the Rioja region is the Spain of our imagination, a sun-splashed land where leafy vines cling silently to gentle slopes, soaking up warmth and finding nourishment in rocky soils that look like they have nothing to give. As they have since time immemorial, shepherds lead their flocks down dusty roads and up to hillside pastures, where the sheep can feast on wild herbs and grasses. The massive, majestic Cantabria mountains embrace these quiet valleys, whose small, sun-baked villages have preserved their timeless charm. Bougainvillea drips from the wrought-iron balconies here, and a church spire marks the village center. Locals on daily errands navigate the narrow, shady, cobbled streets and congregate in the sun-dappled plazas.

Is it any wonder that families remain in this alluring place for centuries, passing vineyards and bodegas down through generations? For the American sommeliers visiting Rioja, the trip offered the chance to meet some of the region’s leading wine families, people passionate about carrying on the work of their fathers and grandfathers and fiercely proud of their heritage.

Read more »