The Pagos del Rey winery in Fuenmayor, part of DOC Rioja, has access to the production of nearly 950 hectares of vineyards belonging to approximately 250 vine growers throughout La Rioja. In addition to grape suppliers in various towns of Rioja Alta, the winery also relies on vine growers from Rioja Alavesa.
La Rioja is a production area which covers various autonomous communities and which, despite its reduced size, has different types of soil and climatic conditions.
In the vicinity of the Fuenmayor winery, located in Rioja Alta although very close to Rioja Alavesa, alluvial terrain mixes with chalky clay. The latter results in a grape rich in glycerine and intense in colour, the main notes of wines which fall under this appellation. Travelling further east, the climate becomes warmer and drier due to the Mediterranean influence.
The different types of soil do not affect the quality of the wine, as Rioja is made using selected grapes from various areas. Furthermore, the Pagos del Rey winery exploits the various types of soil and climatic conditions of the three production sub-areas and obtains its excellent wines by taking advantage of the different ripening cycles of the regions and varieties.
The Fuenmayor winery has access to nearly 950 hectares of vineyards belonging to approximately 250 vine growers throughout Rioja Alta and Rioja Alavesa.
IInformation on grape varieties, climate conditions and planting systems.
AUTHORISED VARIETIES: The varieties covered by DOC Rioja are the reds Tempranillo, Graciano, Garnacha and Mazuelo, and the whites Viura, Garnacha Blanca and Malvasía de Rioja. The preferred variety of reds is the Tempranillo and of whites the Viura.
PLANTING DENSITY:between 2,000 to 4,000 vine stocks per hectare.
PRUNING SYSTEM:DOC Rioja uses the traditional goblet or similar pruning system, with a maximum load of twelve buds per vine over a maximum of six spurs. With regards espaliered pruning systems, the following requirements must be fulfilled: the double cordon system is allowed a maximum of twelve buds over six spurs, while for the rod and spur system the load must be distributed along one rod and one or two spurs of two buds with a maximum of ten buds per vine. Under no circumstances may the maximum limit of 40,000 buds per hectare be exceeded.
PRODUCTION AND OUTPUT: The maximum production allowed per hectare is 6,500 kilos for red varieties and 9,000 kilos for whites. Both these limits can be increased by 25% by the Regulating Council, either upon its own initiative or in response to requests put forward by interested parties. However, a majority of at least two thirds of a council plenary meeting can reduce the maximum production allowed per hectare.
CLIMATE AND SOIL: The climate of the DOC Rioja varies depending on the sub-area in question. In Rioja Alta, the predominant climate is Atlantic, in Rioja Alavesa it is Atlantic and Mediterranean and in Rioja Baja it is Mediterranean.
Likewise, Rioja Alavesa, Sonsierra and certain areas of Rioja Alta have a predominantly chalky clay soil with the terrain structured into small plots in the form of terraces. However, throughout the region ferrous clay soil is also found, with its significant red colour. Lastly, alluvial soil and rounded boulders are present in the areas by rivers.
