The best grapes from the harvest of 2001, considered excellent for the first time in the twenty-first century and only comparable to the
legendary 1964 have gone to a special `Gran Reserva commemorating the anniversary of the Marqués de Riscal wineries.
With the essence and aroma of a century of life, Marqués de Riscal 150th Anniversary is an exceptional wine created to celebrate the start of a dream ingrained in the Rioja Alavesa and in which the oldest winery of the region wants to continue writing a line in the History of Wine. It certainly is a jewel that intends to express the more traditional side of the winery along with the benefits of its innovative character, an example of the long journey of this wine house which is a living history.
Although the first wines were bottled in 1862, in 1858 they began building the first winery, under the watchful eye of the diplomat Camilo Hurtado de Amezaga, Marqués de Riscal, with a tenacious French spirit in Torrea at Elciego.
These original facilities are still working inside the winery, in fact, they housed in its emblematic Cathedral an unmatched sanctuary that houses the greatest treasure of the winery: a unique collection of all
vintages since 1962. "The Cathedral" ´Marqués de Riscal` is also a symbolic link between the tradition of an illustrious history and the vanguard of an internationally renowned winery, present
in over 70 countries, a bridge that is between the wood and stone masonry and the rolling strips of titanium designed by Frank O. Gehry for his luxurious hotel. `Los Herederos de Marqués de Riscal´, in its quest as pioneers, launched a major enotouristic project, located in the calm and tranquility of the region, comprising 100,000 square feet dedicated to the sensations and enjoyment of wine lovers.
In the City of Wine, how the complex is called, highlights the emblematic Hotel from the renowned Canadian architect, with 43 rooms equipped with all the comforts of the finest luxury. Although no less noteworthy is its innovative design, following the style of the Guggenheim Museum, but distinguished by the colors of the house: pink, red wine, gold, the mesh that covers the bottle, and silver, the capsule of the Marqués de Riscal copies.
An exclusive wine therapy center, run by the international Caudalie Wine therapy house, a large convention center to accommodate all types of business meetings, boutique, grand banquet halls and a special restaurant run by Francis Paniego, first chef from La Rioja awarded with a Michelin star in 2004, completing the City of Wine complex, an authentic château of the twenty-first century, dedicated to the care, study and enjoyment of wine. Without a doubt, the perfect place to close 2008 with a gold badge, the year that Marqués de Riscal has dedicated to celebrate with care and great detail a very special anniversary.
In the list of commemorative activities, there has been an exclusive weekend at the Hotel Marqués de Riscal, full of wine and gastronomic pleasure, lectures on art, design and culture, visits to vineyards and beauty treatments and relax with wine, all with the grand finale of a Gala Dinner and Charity Auction in which excelled a batch without comparison consisting of 131 vintages from the cellar, taken directly from the Cathedral. The auction was conducted by the prestigious British house Christie’s, which also conducted within the framework of this celebration, a historic auction of the biggest vertical collection of wines in the world, with selected pieces of Marques de Riscal.
