In the heart of Rioja Alavesa, with the river Ebro to the south and the Cantabrian Mountains rising to the north, Viña Salceda encapsulates the region’s finest subzones in every glass.
At the helm is oenologist and winemaking director David González. A Rioja expert with over 30 years’ experience in the region, he has also played a pioneering role in the revival of 70-year-old vineyards in remote areas such as Alto Najerilla.
A key strength is the varied character of Viña Salceda’s nearly 100ha of vineyards, which stretch from Sonsierra, where the winery is located, to Alto Najerilla in the southwest. These sites are characterised by diverse grape varieties, soils and climates – resulting in wines of place that offer distinctive regional expressions.
Viña Salceda
Encapsulating the diversity of Rioja
The blessing of diversity
In partnership with Viña Salceda
Discover more: vinasalceda.com
The winery’s ethos seamlessly blends old and new: crafting modern styles while respecting the region’s iconic winemaking traditions.
Tenuta di Arceno's resident winemaker Lawrence Cronin
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The clay-rich soils of Alto Najerilla are home to vines including Garnacha, Tempranillo and Viura, some over a century old.
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Viña Salceda has two wine ranges: Atempo and Parajes. Atempo wines blend top-quality grapes from cooler subzones for a modern take on Rioja. The Viña Salceda Crianza is González’s first with Viña Salceda, leading a movement towards a fresher, more contemporary style. The Viña Salceda Blanco sobre lías, meanwhile, is gastronomic and versatile, noted for its persistent freshness.
The expressive Parajes range highlights the unique character of specific sites, starting with La Rellanilla, a Tempranillo grown in high-altitude Laguardia vineyards, and the first to feature the new Vino de Pueblo (village wine) designation on its label. From the end of 2025, two new wines will be available in the Parajes range: Picopalomares, a Tempranillo-Graciano blend from Sonsierra, and Cabezaparda, a single-varietal Garnacha from Alto Najerilla.
Viña Salceda’s sustainable approach to winemaking is shaping the future of Rioja: preserving its rich origins whilst embracing contemporary styles. In the words of González, ‘Being sustainable is no longer an option; it’s an obligation.’
Wines shaping Rioja
David González, oenologist and winemaking director at Viña Salceda
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Being sustainable is no longer
an option; it’s an obligation
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– David González
The limestone soils of Sonsierra, located between Rioja Alta and Alavesa at 700m elevation, are ideally suited to the region’s famed Tempranillo variety. Wines produced here are renowned for their structure and longevity.
The clay-rich soils of Alto Najerilla, by contrast, are home to vines including Garnacha, Tempranillo and Viura, some over a century old. Wines produced in this subzone are known for their refreshing acidity, complexity and creativity.