Contino, the first château in Rioja, was founded in 1973 by the century-old CVNE winery and the owners of the 55-hectare estate in Rioja Alavesa. The history of the property, which dates to the 16th century, is reflected in the winery’s name. The officer in charge of the one hundred soldiers who looked after the royal family continuously (or “de contino“), from the Catholic Monarchs era onwards, was known as the “contino”. Its rich history also tells how Saint Gregory (the patron saint of vineyards) once passed through this Riojan estate, which is why his figure appears on the winery’s logo, and some of the vineyard plots on the estate bear his name.

The Garnacha Blanca grapes come from the San Gregorio plot which was planted in 1980. Calcareous clay soils. The Viura grapes come from two micro-plots within the stony San Gre.gorio, La Tabla and San Gregorio Viejo. All are between 35 and 40 years old.

Whole bunches of hand-picked grapes were destemmed and transferred to a stainless steel vat where skin contact took place. Following this, the vat was drained and pressed. Alcoholic fermentation took place during 20 days. Once finished, 30% is transferred to concrete tanks and the remaining 70% to new and semi-new barrels from different oak cooperages, of 500 litres.

Try with grilled sea bass or sardines