Rioja Alta Region

Sub region of Rioja region

Rioja Alta is a sub-region of the Rioja wine region in the North of Spain where it occupies the westernmost portion of the region.

Rioja Alta centers on the historic town of Haro, where a number of well-known wineries are located.

Rioja Alta is perhaps the most important of the three Rioja sub-regions (the others being Rioja Alavesa and Rioja Baja), both in terms of quality and the quantity of wine produced. The climate is largely similar to that of Rioja Alavesa and, as in Alavesa, the vineyards here are located at higher altitudes than in Rioja Baja, assisting in the accumulation of acidity, color and moderate alcohol levels.