Contino Graciano
⏳ wine.drinking_window
Typically best enjoyed 5 to 15 years from the vintage release, though exceptional vintages can cellar beautifully for two decades thanks to the grape's superb natural acidity and structured tannins.
🍽️ wine.food_pairings
Slow-roasted lamb shoulder, grilled venison or wild boar, and aged sheep's milk cheeses such as Manchego.
✨ wine.spec_sheet
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.
🍾 wine.about_producer
Founded in 1879 by the Real de Asúa brothers in the historic Barrio de la Estación of Haro, Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España (CVNE) is a cornerstone of Rioja winemaking. Still family-controlled today, the estate is celebrated for its harmonious blend of traditional craftsmanship and architectural innovation, featuring a legendary cellar designed by Alexandre Gustave Eiffel's studio. CVNE's philosophy centers on meticulous vineyard management across Rioja Alta and Rioja Alavesa, producing elegant, structurally complex wines aged in fine oak casks. The winery is globally renowned for its iconic labels, including the historic Imperial Gran Reserva, the fruit-forward Viña Real, and the single-estate expression Contino, which collectively define the pinnacle of classic Spanish Tempranillo.