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To visit the town of Baños de la Rioja, in the Rioja Alta, is to come across the largest extension of singular wines in a single estate, specifically in Finca La Emperatriz, the vineyard of the Hermanos Hernáiz, which has no less than 101 hectares in extension. Of these, 82 are cultivated with vines and divided into 23 plots based on the age of the vines (some over 65 years old when they acquired the estate), the grape variety or the orientation of the vineyard, among other factors.
Thanks to its privileged location, on one of the highest plateaus of La Rioja Alta at an altitude of 570 meters, the vineyard enjoys a more continental climate than other parts of the area and is ideal for the slow ripening of the Tempranillo variety (Garnacha, Graciano, Viura and Maturana are also grown).
Its name is not trivial, because this historic estate has been producing finos since the 19th century. And its owners were not just anyone. They were none other than Eugénie de Montijo, Empress of France and wife of Napoleon III. The Empress was the owner of this estate whose wines were already of exceptional quality at that time. Proof of this was the recognition received at the wine competition of the Universal Exhibition of 1878 in Paris, and also in Haro in 1884.
After the death of Eugenia de Montijo without descendants, the estate went to her sister Francisca, wife of Jacobo Fitz-James Stuart, Duke of Alba. Later, it was inherited by one of his four sons, who ended up dividing the fief and selling it separately to some Basque industrialists who, in turn, transferred it to the Count of Torremuzquiz.
It was at this point that the property was acquired by the Hernáiz family in 1996. After learning of the brilliant history of the Finca, the family decided to continue the project, betting on the production of quality wines, which continues to this day, having become a benchmark winery.
A wide selection of wines
Here the Hermanos Hernáiz make the wines Finca La Emperatriz Viñedo Singular, the first wine of the property, which has the highest quality category of the D.O. Ca Rioja. The White is made with Viura from Viñedos Singulares over 60 years old, while the Red is a blend of the oldest vines on the estate. In addition, here they also produce El Jardín de la Emperatriz, their best-selling wine with an annual production of more than 170,000 bottles, specifically the Tinto, made from Tempranillo grapes and 6% Garnacha and 2% Graciano. In addition, the Jardín de la Emperatriz Blanco, with 80% Viura from Viñedos Singulares and 20% from young vines.
As if that were not enough, the Hernáiz brothers have two more labels that are made outside the estate. On the one hand, Las Cenizas, made in Cenicero, Eduardo and Víctor Hernáiz’s home town. In fact, they already produced this wine before acquiring the estate and it is their most personal project. Finally, El Pedal, made with grapes from different estates that the Hernáiz family has in five villages in the Rioja Alta: Fuenmayor, Cenicero, Navarrete, Hornos de Moncalvillo and Baños de Rioja.
Much more than a vineyard
Willing to go a step further and offer a complete experience around wine and the enjoyment of such a bucolic enclave, the Hernáiz Brothers decided to promote wine tourism within the estate itself. In 2016 they opened the doors of the estate for tours and activities around the vineyard. And in 2020 they came full circle with the inauguration of the Finca La Emperatriz villas. They restored the buildings that served as accommodation for the estate’s foreman and workers in the times of Eugenia de Montijo and converted them into tourist villas to relax, disconnect and live a unique experience through wine.
These luxury villas have all the amenities to live a unique stay in the vineyard. They can be booked from the winery’s website and can be accompanied by other activities such as wine tasting, a walk through the vineyard or simply disconnecting in the middle of nature.