Contino Graciano
⏳ Drinking Window
2025 - 2038
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Slow-roasted lamb shoulder, grilled venison or wild boar, and aged sheep's milk cheeses such as Manchego.
✨ Technical Specifications
Viñedos del Contino, established in 1973 as Rioja's first single-estate winery, is situated in a historic bend of the Ebro River in Rioja Alavesa. While the estate is steeped in history—its name referencing the 'contino,' the royal guard who protected the Spanish monarchs—its true modern legend lies in championing the temperamental Graciano grape. Historically relegated to a minor blending role due to its low yields and difficult cultivation, Graciano was rescued from obscurity by Contino, who realized its potential as a single-varietal masterpiece. Grown on alluvial, stony soils and aged primarily in French oak, this wine showcases the grape's intense, deep color, high natural acidity, and complex aromatic profile of dark berries, violets, and balsamic spices.
🍾 About the Producer
Founded in 1879 by brothers Raimundo and Eusebio Real de Asúa, the Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España (CVNE) is one of Rioja's foundational and most prestigious historic bodegas, headquartered in the iconic Barrio de la Estación in Haro, Spain. Still under the stewardship of the founding family's descendants, CVNE harmoniously bridges traditional winemaking heritage with pioneering technical innovation across its distinct estates and cellars. The estate is celebrated for crafting world-renowned, age-worthy wines characterized by elegance, structure, and balance, predominantly driven by Tempranillo and native Riojan varieties. Among its celebrated portfolio are legendary classic benchmarks such as Imperial, Viña Real, and the single-estate icon Viñedos del Contino.
🍇 Grape Varieties
Tempranillo, Garnacha, Graciano, Mazuelo