A rarity in Rioja, Lopez de Heredia uses only estate bottled fruit from their prized vineyards with the idea that the only way to get the best fruit is to care for the vines themselves. The Tondonia vineyard is their most famous; it is situated in a shell-shaped depression on the right bank of the river Ebro, where the most typical Rioja wines are grown. The soil is alluvial clay with a high proportion of limestone. Average vine age is 45 years old and organic farming and natural fermentations are implemented, creating wines that exhibit great terroir. Grapes from Viña Tondonia are always used in making their highest quality wines, with truly exceptional vintages becoming Gran Reservas. The first Reserva was bottled by the founder in 1890.