Major Rioja brand makes move into Rueda

Renowned Rioja-based producer Marqués de Cáceres has bought 125 hectares of vineyards in Rueda and plans to build a winery in the region.

Marqués de Cáceres was founded in 1970 by Enrique Forner

Rueda, famed for its production of crisp white wines, primarily from Spain’s native Verdejo grape, is one of the country’s fastest-growing wine regions, and Marqués de Cáceres hopes to “reinforce its presence both in Spain and on the international markets” with the addition of the D.O. to its portfolio.

The newly-acquired vineyards are located in the villages of La Seca and Serrada and construction work will begin in April this year on winemaking facilities which will be ready in time for the 2014 harvest.

However, Marqués de Cáceres already make a Verdejo, having first released a wine from Rueda earlier this year using grapes from the 2013 vintage.

This new wine adds to the brand’s current range of whites from Rioja, which include the Marqués de Cáceres young white, the Antea barrel-fermented white and the unique, “delicately-sweet” Satinela.

The company also has Deusa Nai, an Albariño from Rías Baixas.

Founded in 1970 by Enrique Forner in the heart of Rioja Alta, Marqués de Cáceres is one of the region’s largest producers and exports Spanish wine to more than 130 markets.