Spanish wine group Vintae has acquired 90% of Bodegas Riojanas, marking one of the most significant consolidation moves in Rioja in recent years and reshaping the future of one of Spain’s oldest wine houses.
The transaction, announced on May 18, gives the Rioja-based company led by Richi Arambarri majority ownership of the historic winery founded in 1890 in Cenicero, while existing shareholders retain the remaining 10%.
The acquisition extends beyond Rioja itself. The deal also includes Bodegas Torreduero in Rueda and Bodegas Viore in Toro, significantly expanding Vintae’s presence across several of Spain’s leading wine regions. As part of the operation, Vintae confirmed that it signed a restructuring agreement with lenders aimed at stabilizing the financial position of Bodegas Riojanas and protecting the long-term future of its assets. The restructuring plan now awaits court approval before the new ownership structure can be fully implemented.
For Vintae, the purchase represents both a strategic investment and a rescue operation for one of Rioja’s most historic names. Arambarri said the goal is not only to preserve an important part of Rioja’s winemaking heritage, but also to ensure that a founding winery of the denomination remains competitive in an increasingly challenging global wine market.
Founded more than 130 years ago, Bodegas Riojanas became internationally recognized through iconic Rioja labels such as Monte Real and Viña Albina. The winery built its reputation on traditional Rioja winemaking, extended aging practices, and classic expressions of Tempranillo-based wines that helped establish Rioja’s image around the world.
The acquisition also brings together two very different philosophies within Spanish wine. Bodegas Riojanas has long represented Rioja’s traditional style and heritage-driven identity, while Vintae has built its reputation through innovation, modern branding, and expansion into multiple terroirs and wine regions since its founding in 1999.
Under Arambarri’s leadership since 2008, Vintae has developed a diverse portfolio that includes labels such as Hacienda López de Haro, Viñedos El Pacto, Matsu, Bardos, Le Naturel, and Pandemonium. The company has become known for combining contemporary marketing strategies with regionally focused wine projects across Spain.
Industry observers see the takeover as part of a wider consolidation trend affecting the Spanish wine sector. Wineries across Spain are facing mounting pressure from declining wine consumption, tighter operating margins, inflationary costs, and increased international competition. In this environment, larger groups with stronger commercial structures and export networks are increasingly stepping in to support historic producers facing financial strain.
The challenge for Vintae will now be balancing modernization with preservation. Integrating a century-old winery into a younger and more commercially dynamic group carries risks, particularly in maintaining the authenticity and identity that made Bodegas Riojanas one of Rioja’s emblematic names.
At the same time, the acquisition offers potential opportunities to reposition historic Rioja brands for new generations of consumers and international markets. Vintae said it aims to restore the prestige and visibility of Bodegas Riojanas while adapting its commercial strategy to evolving global demand and changing consumer preferences.
The outcome of the restructuring process will now depend on court approval, which will determine whether the transaction can fully move forward. Regardless of the legal process, the acquisition already signals an important moment for Rioja and for Spain’s broader wine industry, where heritage wineries increasingly face the challenge of adapting to a rapidly changing global market.
Source: Vinetur