La Rioja Alta S.A. was founded in 1890 by five Riojan and Basque families who shared the same passion for wine. A quality orientated producer, the company remains true to the traditional method of making Rioja - using American oak barrels which are made in their own cooperage, racking by candlelight and only releasing the wines onto the market when they are ready to drink.

The company has 300 hectares of vineyards in the best zones of Rioja. With more than 50,000 casks and 6.4 million bottles stored at any one time, the equivalent of about 8 years sales, La Rioja Alta S.A. is unique in its ability to supply large quantities of fully mature wines of world class quality.

Gran Reserva 890 sits at the top of a range of Rioja including the wineries flagship brand, Viña Ardanza, which since its creation in 1941 is the wine that has earned La Rioja Alta S.A. the most fame and renown.

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.