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Finca La Emperatriz -The Empress’s Estate- is an historic vineyard in Baños de Rioja that once belonged to the last Empress of France, Eugenia de Montijo.
12 km from Haro, nestled between the Sierra de Cantabria and Sierra de la Demanda mountain ranges, Finca La Emperatriz is located in the north western end of the Rioja DOC, at 570 m above sea level in one of the highest plateaux in the Rioja Alta.
In 1996, the Hernáiz family purchased that same estate, and brothers Eduardo and Victor Hernáiz took charge of a project aimed at producing quality wines.
The soil of Finca La Emperatriz is unique in La Rioja. A poor, extremely hard soil, which provides the wines with a distinctive elegance and minerality and great ageing potential.
Grape
100% Viura
Vineyard & Vinification Note
Region D.O.Ca Rioja, Rioja Alta.
Terroir Impressive terroir with a layer of large white pebbles to a depth of about 40 cm, covering a loose, sandy sub-soil. An ideal soil to grow vines, as it has excellent drainage, plenty of light and the roots are well placed to receive all the nutrients they require. The wines produced from this type of soil are fine and elegant.
Vineyard Mostly bush vines -80%- with an average age of 60 years, along with 20% of trellis vines.
Yields of 7,200 kg/ha (46.80 hl/ha).
Harvest: Hand-harvested, between the 2nd and the 7th of October.
Winemaking: Must, obtained after a soft crushing in an inert atmosphere, is kept with its pulp in suspension at low temperature for two days (for better aromatic extraction). After that, it is racked off lees by gravity and clean must ferments at controlled temperature between 15ºC – 16ºC. After alcoholic fermentation, wine remains with its fermentation lees for two months.
Production: 44,200 bottles
2021 Harvest: Dry winter and cold temperatures at the outset of spring delayed budbreak for about 9-10 days, compared to 2020 vintage (which can be considered a typical one at the estate). The year continued without remarkable climatic episodes, so this time lag continued during growth and maturity period, causing harvest delayed for about 10-12 days compared to a normal year. Beyond that, at Finca La Emperatriz 2021 vintage was mainly characterized by being pretty dry, especially during summer months harvest season. It was precisely this scarcity of water (and the hydric stress it produced in the vine) that led to optimum maturity and good health in the vineyard. In addition, moderate temperatures throughout the summer, accompanied by cool nights, favoured the production of aromatic compounds -especially for our Viura- and an important natural acidity that has been translated into freshness.
Tasting Note
A balanced white, with freshness, persistence and a delicate touch.
Food Pairing
This white Rioja will pair well with grilled fish and shellfish, garlicky prawns, a gazpacho or simply enjoy on its own.
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