Viña Tondonia, a legendary name from Spain’s Rioja region, continues to captivate collectors and wine enthusiasts alike with its meticulous winemaking process and exceptional ageing potential. Owned by the López de Heredia family, this historic estate in Rioja Alta spans over 100 hectares along the River Ebro and has remained steadfast in its traditional practices since its first plantings in 1913.
Producing both red and white wines from indigenous grape varieties—Tempranillo, Garnacha, Graciano, Mazuelo, Viura, and Malvasía—Viña Tondonia is renowned for its dedication to regional authenticity. The family, which has been making wine since 1877, has never incorporated grapes from outside Rioja, even when permitted by the region’s regulatory body. In recognition of this commitment, the estate received a unique Diploma de Garantía, a certificate that appears on the back label of each bottle, confirming the exclusive use of Rioja-grown grapes.
A hallmark of the estate is its slow and patient ageing process. The Reserva wines rest in 225-litre American oak barrels for six years, while the Gran Reserva matures for a full decade. The extensive cellar, spanning 6,000 square metres, houses these barrels and underscores the scale and dedication of the operation.
Among its offerings, the Blanco Reserva stands out for its complex bouquet of beeswax, nuts, and cooked apple, prized for both its flavour profile and ageing capacity. The Blanco Gran Reserva, an even rarer release, appeared only once at iDealwine, with a 1996 vintage selling for €288 in February 2025.
Viña Tondonia’s red wines have also fetched impressive prices. In 2024, a 1920 Reserva was auctioned for €540, ranking as the fifth most expensive Spanish wine of the year on iDealwine. The Gran Reserva red, with notes of vanilla and dried berries, has seen bottles ranging from a 1947 vintage (€300) to a 2001 (€263) cross the auction block.
In 2024, 111 Viña Tondonia bottles were sold through iDealwine at an average price of €137. That momentum has only accelerated in 2025, with 203 bottles already sold by the end of May. French and American buyers were among the most active bidders for these wines.
Spanish wines overall saw remarkable growth at iDealwine auctions in 2024, with nearly 3,500 bottles sold—an 83% year-over-year increase. Rioja emerged as the dominant region, not only through Viña Tondonia but also via other storied estates like Marqués de Murrieta. A 1934 Reserva Especial from Marqués de Murrieta achieved €550, edging out Viña Tondonia’s top price.
The Ribera del Duero region also played a significant role, contributing 17% of bottles sold and 46% of total auction value. Vega Sicilia, the iconic estate from the region, led this surge. Although its average bottle price dipped slightly in 2024 to €290 (a 4% decrease), several historic vintages fetched high sums: a 1923 Único reached €2,438, while bottles from 1947 and 1962 sold for €1,250 and €1,188, respectively.
As of late May 2025, iDealwine has already auctioned 877 bottles of Spanish wine, with interest continuing to grow globally.
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