CVNE, or Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España, is one of the most prestigious and historic wine companies in Rioja, Spain. Founded in 1879 by the Real de Asúa brothers in the town of Haro, CVNE has been a significant figure in the development and promotion of Rioja wines for over a century. The company is still family-owned and managed by the direct descendants of the founders, maintaining a commitment to tradition combined with a focus on innovation in winemaking.

CVNE is known for producing a wide range of Rioja wines, from young, vibrant Crianzas to complex and long-lived Gran Reservas. The company operates several individual wineries, each with its own distinct identity and specialization:

1. **CVNE (Cune)** - The original winery where traditional methods still play a vital role in winemaking. Here, wines are crafted to reflect the classic Rioja style, focusing on balance, elegance, and aging potential. Cune is particularly famous for its Imperial and Viña Real lines, both highly respected in the Rioja category.

2. **Viña Real** - This winery is dedicated to producing modern styles of Rioja, using more contemporary winemaking techniques. The wines from Viña Real are known for their fruit-forward character and richness, often showing more oak influence and a robust structure.

3. **Contino** - A single-estate winery established in 1973, pioneering the concept of “Château-style” wines in Rioja. Contino produces wines solely from grapes grown in its own vineyards, allowing for meticulous control over the vineyard practices and a terroir-driven approach to winemaking.

CVNE's approach combines the use of modern technology with traditional winemaking techniques like long aging in American and French oak barrels and manual racking. This blend of old and new has enabled CVNE to maintain high-quality standards while producing wines that appeal to a diverse audience, from traditional Rioja enthusiasts to those favoring newer, more intense wine profiles.

The company is also committed to sustainability, continuously adapting its practices to protect the environment and ensure the health of its vineyards for future generations. CVNE's wines are celebrated for their quality, consistency, and representation of Rioja's unique wine heritage, making them favorites among wine lovers worldwide.

La Rioja er uden tvivl Spaniens mest prestigefyldte vinregion, internationalt kendt for sine vine af høj kvalitet, især de raffinerede rødvine. Regionen ligger i det nordlige Spanien og nyder godt af et varieret klima, der spænder fra det køligere og vådere Atlanterhav i vest til det varmere og tørrere Middelhav i øst, hvor Ebro-floden spiller en afgørende rolle i at moderere klimaet. De Cantabriske Bjerge udgør også en barriere mod barske vejrforhold fra nord.

Regionen er bedst kendt for sine robuste, egetræslagrede rødvine, der primært fremstilles af Tempranillo-druen, som er rygraden i La Riojas vinproduktion. Andre druer som Garnacha (Grenache), Graciano og Mazuelo (Carignan) spiller også biroller i blandingerne. Rioja-vine klassificeres i flere kategorier baseret på deres modningsproces: Rioja (den yngste), Crianza, Reserva og Gran Reserva, hvor de to sidstnævnte kræver flere års lagring på egetræsfade og flasker, før de frigives.

La Rioja er inddelt i tre underregioner: Rioja Alta, Rioja Alavesa og Rioja Oriental (tidligere kendt som Rioja Baja). Hvert område tilfører vinene sine unikke karakteristika. Rioja Alta er kendt for sine vine i gammeldags stil med en balance mellem struktur og syre; Rioja Alavesa producerer vine med en fyldig og aromatisk profil på grund af sin kalkstensrige jordbund; Rioja Oriental, der er varmere, giver typisk vine, der er rigere og mere intenst farvede.

Regionens engagement i kvalitet og tradition kombineret med innovationer inden for vinfremstillingsteknikker sikrer, at La Rioja fortsat producerer vine, der værdsættes globalt for deres dybde, kompleksitet og lange holdbarhed. De maleriske landskaber med vindækkede bakker og historiske bodegaer (vinkældre) gør også La Rioja til en populær destination for vinturisme.