R. López de Heredia, Viña Tondonia, Blanco, Gran Reserva, Rioja, Spain, 2005

Overview of the Wine
It all started in the middle of the nineteenth century when French negociants visited the Rioja region to find alternative sources of quality grapes to transform into wine, since the phylloxera epidemic had decimated their vineyards. Our founder, Don Rafael López de Heredia y Landeta, a knowledgeable and enthusiastic student in the art of wine making, followed closely in their footsteps.
Don Rafael fell in love with the region and especially the area around Haro, the mythical capital of the Rioja Alta region. He observed that there was a magical combination of soil and climate that would offer the perfect environment for producing wine that would eventually become world famous. Around 1877 he began the design and construction of the complex that is today known as the López de Heredia bodega (winery), the oldest in Haro and one of the first three houses in the Rioja region.

For over a century our emotions have been rooted in our love and passion for this land and its harvest. We cherish our heritage, and this combination of love and the rigorous quality standards we apply, have become our trademark and remains our maxim for today and the future.

Bodegas López de Heredia stands out as one of the few family-run bodegas regulated by the Denominación de Origen Calificada Rioja - DOC (Appellation region).

A year officially rated as VERY GOOD. The year passed without severe climatological incidents, in lack of spring frost; but denoted with abundant spring precipitations and after the harvest. However, a mild and drier summer favoured the growth and health of the grapes; which led to a not very abundant, but lightly superior harvest than the previous one with similar quality. The weather conditions were exceptionally favourable during all the final phase of the vegetative cycle, something that is always decisive for the quality of the harvest. Our vineyard enjoyed the optimal conditions necessary to get a health state of the fruit almost perfect; and with balanced parameters of colour, acidity, degree of alcohol and balance during the maturation. All of these characteristics let us get a high quality harvest with a little inferior final volume compared to previous years.

Winemaker
María José López de Heredia

Grape / Blend
Viura

Origin
Rioja, Spain

Winemaker's Tasting Notes
Tasting: Wine developed and very balanced. Colour: Gold evolved Nose: Persistent, perfumed and complex. Taste: Round, smooth, full of persistent aromas.

99 Points - Wine Advocate
The 2005 Gran Reserva Blanco Viña Tondonia spent ten years in American oak, giving it remarkable depth. Composed of Viura with 10% Malvasía and bottled in November 2019, it layers acacia, dried flowers, lime zest and herbs on the nose, with toffee, bakery tones and gentle toast. On the palate, it is dry and enveloping, carrying vibrant, integrated freshness and a wafer-like savory nuance. Exceptionally long and refined, the 2005 stands out as a great vintage here.98 Points - Wine Advocate
The white 2005 Viña Tondonia Blanco Gran Reserva comes from a more powerful year. It has a deeper golden color and a nose with more oxidation end evolution, with notes of honey, wax and a little caramel. María José compared it with years like 1976, 1981 or 1957, years that showed more evolution early on. It has a different profile, with a rounder mouthfeel but with the chalky austerity from the limestone soils, finishing tasty and with a salty twist. It was bottled in November 2019 after 14 years in well-seasoned American oak barrels and oak vats. It has 12.5% alcohol, a pH of 3.4 and 6.6 grams of acidity. 10,000 bottles produced. It will be released in the spring of 2026.

Product size: 750ml