HISTORY

The character of a family.

Viña Ijalba was founded in the mid 1970s by Dionisio Ruiz Ijalba, the first generation of a family passionate about the land, who planted its first vineyard in 1975. His pioneering vision was clear from the beginning: to recover the essence of Rioja from its roots: the land. This is how Viña Ijalba began its journey, being founded as a winery in 1991.

It was a pioneering winery in the production of quality organic wines, following the traditional techniques of Rioja, and with the greatest respect for its environmental commitment, now in its the third generation.

Today, Viña Ijalba is the result of decades of a family’s work, guided by the belief that great wines are not produced, but are cultivated from their origin.

“We were the first to dream of an organic Rioja. And we continue to dream of it, each day.” Dionisio Ruiz

1975

Dionisio makes the decision to start planting his own vineyards.

After almost 17 years working with grapes for other Rioja producers, Dionisio Ruiz, who at the time owned almost 80 hectares of his own vineyards spread through the Designation, was ready to found Bodegas Viña Ijalba.

Viña Ijalba embarks on a recovery project of minority varieties of Rioja jointly with the University of La Rioja.

As a result of this study, Viña Ijalba presents the first 100% Graciano varietal Rioja wine.

Viña Ijalba becomes the first Rioja winery to produce wine from organic vineyards.

After some experimental collaborations, a wine produced 100% with Maturana Blanca from organic vineyards is commercialised (the first winery in the world to achieve this to date).

100% Maturana Tinta (the first winery in the world to achieve this to date).

100% Tempranillo Blanco (the first wine in the world produced entirely with this variety to date).

Viña Ijalba opens its doors to the public, creating an Oenotourism Department.

1975

Dionisio makes the decision to start planting his own vineyards.

1991

After almost 17 years working with grapes for other Rioja producers, Dionisio Ruiz, who at the time owned almost 80 hectares of his own vineyards spread through the Designation, was ready to found Bodegas Viña Ijalba.

The 90s decade

Viña Ijalba se embarca en un proyecto de recuperación de variedades minoritarias de Rioja conjuntamente con la Universidad de La Rioja.

1995

As a result of this study, Viña Ijalba presents the first 100% Graciano varietal Rioja wine.

1998

Viña Ijalba becomes the first Rioja winery to produce wine from organic vineyards.

2001

After some experimental collaborations, a wine produced 100% with Maturana Blanca from organic vineyards is commercialised (the first winery in the world to achieve this to date).

2002

100% Maturana Tinta (the first winery in the world to achieve this to date).

2006

100% Tempranillo Blanco (the first wine in the world produced entirely with this variety to date).

2020

Viña Ijalba opens its doors to the public, creating an Oenotourism Department.