La Rioja Alta S.A. wurde 1890 von fünf Familien aus Rioja und dem Baskenland gegründet, die die gleiche Leidenschaft für Wein teilten. Als qualitätsorientierter Erzeuger bleibt das Unternehmen der traditionellen Methode der Rioja-Herstellung treu - es verwendet Fässer aus amerikanischer Eiche, die in der eigenen Küferei hergestellt werden, reift bei Kerzenlicht und bringt die Weine erst auf den Markt, wenn sie trinkreif sind.

Das Unternehmen besitzt 300 Hektar Weinberge in den besten Zonen der Rioja. Mit mehr als 50.000 Fässern und 6,4 Millionen gelagerten Flaschen, was dem Umsatz von etwa 8 Jahren entspricht, ist La Rioja Alta S.A. einzigartig in seiner Fähigkeit, große Mengen an voll ausgereiften Weinen von Weltklassequalität zu liefern.

Der Gran Reserva 890 steht an der Spitze einer Reihe von Rioja-Weinen, zu denen auch das Aushängeschild des Weinguts, Viña Ardanza, gehört, das seit seiner Gründung im Jahr 1941 der Wein ist, der La Rioja Alta S.A. den meisten Ruhm und Ansehen eingebracht hat.

La Rioja is arguably Spain's most prestigious wine region, internationally renowned for its high-quality wines, particularly its refined reds. Located in northern Spain, the region benefits from a diverse climate that ranges from the cooler, wetter Atlantic influences in the west to the warmer, drier Mediterranean influences in the east, with the Ebro River playing a crucial role in moderating the climate. The Cantabrian Mountains also provide a barrier against harsh weather conditions from the north.

The region is best known for its robust, oak-aged red wines primarily made from the Tempranillo grape, which is the backbone of La Rioja's wine production. Other grapes such as Garnacha (Grenache), Graciano, and Mazuelo (Carignan) also play supporting roles in the blends. Rioja wines are classified into several categories based on their aging process: Rioja (the youngest), Crianza, Reserva, and Gran Reserva, with the latter two requiring several years of aging in oak barrels and bottles before release.

La Rioja is divided into three sub-regions: Rioja Alta, Rioja Alavesa, and Rioja Oriental (formerly known as Rioja Baja). Each area brings its unique characteristics to the wines. Rioja Alta is known for its old-world style wines with a balance of structure and acidity; Rioja Alavesa produces wines with a full-bodied and aromatic profile due to its limestone-rich soils; Rioja Oriental, being warmer, typically yields wines that are richer and more intensely colored.

The region's commitment to quality and tradition, combined with innovations in winemaking techniques, ensures that La Rioja continues to produce wines that are appreciated globally for their depth, complexity, and longevity. The picturesque landscapes of vine-covered hills and historic bodegas (wine cellars) also make La Rioja a popular destination for wine tourism.