Rioja Viñedos Singulares is a special designation within the Rioja wine region, introduced in 2017 to recognise and highlight wines from unique, single vineyards. This classification emphasises the distinctiveness of specific vineyard sites and aims to showcase the terroir and unique characteristics of these plots.
A Viñedos Singulares vineyard must be at least 35 years old. Yields must be at least 20% lower than the usual DOCa level. A maximum grape-to-wine ratio of 65% compared to the standard 70% is required. The vineyard must be owned or rented on a long-term basis for at least 10 years. The wines must pass two tastings: one after fermentation and another before market release, scoring a minimum of 93 points in the second tasting. Producers must present a technical report proving the distinctive character of the site.
The DOC Rioja has recently approved more “Viñedos Singulares” (VS) or single-vineyard parcels, bringing the total to 162, covering 265 hectares. However, this remains a small fraction, only 0.4%, of the region’s 65,326 hectares. Since the introduction of VS in 2017, the number of certified vineyards has grown, but they remain a minor part of Rioja’s overall vineyard area.
A key issue is the disparity in ownership, with only 97 owners for the 162 parcels, indicating that some wineries are using VS certification as a branding tool. Notable entities like Bodegas Valdelana, Sonsierra cooperative and Luis Cañas own multiple VS parcels. The future of the VS system depends on whether more wineries will seek this certification and how the control board and consumer preferences will shape its evolution.
