Soil and vineyards

For optimum quality grapes to produce our wines, it is very important to choose sites with the climate and soil that best suit the needs of each grape variety.

The Rioja DO is located in the valley of the river Ebro and is divided into three sub-areas with different climates, including: Rioja Alta, Rioja Baja and Rioja Alavesa. The Ebro enters from northwest to Rioja Alta, situated about 445 metres above sea level, and leaves to the east, in Rioja Baja at 260 metres above sea level. The distance covered is roughly 120 km. Rioja vineyards are located close to the river banks, and in some places on the side of the mountains that surround the valley to a height of 700 metres. The vineyards of Bodegas Beronia are situated in the Rioja Alta, where the climate is influenced by the Atlantic ocean.

The temperature influences the processes taking place in the vineyard such as respiration, transpiration and photosynthesis as well as the maturation of the grapes. At high temperatures, the biological processes are accelerated ripening the grape, while at higher altitudes, where temperatures are lower, ripening is slower and produces wines with strong acidity.

Likewise, the amount of sunlight the plant receives and the amount of rainfall will affect the quantity and quality of the fruit.

As with the weather, the vine has great ability to survive in a variety of soils, provided they are not too wet areas. There are various aspects to take into account with regards to the soil such as structure: clay, silica, limestone, and texture: clay, sand . The most suitable structure is one able to maintain good aeration and root respiration. Texture, along with the structure, determines the possibility and ease of root penetration in the soil as well as water and air. Soil colour has influence on the temperature and stoniness helps soil aeration. The soil composition determines what minerals are extracted by the plant and also influences the quality of the wine.In the Rioja Alta, where the vineyards of Bodegas Beronia are found, we can find three types of soil: clay-limestone, clay-ferrous and alluvial.

The characteristics of each are:

- Calcareous clay: Soil rich in limestone, permeable to water and difficult to machine harvest. They are structured in the form of terraces, divided into small plots. These soils produce wines with high glycemic content and high pH, ​​with good colour. Stable wines that are very suitable for aging.

- Ferrous clay: These soils have a moderate content in limestone, ridged, reddish, hard and deep, difficult to water and machine harvest. Produce medium bodied wines.

- Alluvial: They are soils rich in silica and limestone gravel, permeable, flat with enough depth, easy watering and machine harvest possible. Producing intermediate low pH wines with a taste of tartaric acid origin.

If you want to experience with the soil and vines, come and visit our winery in Ollauri. All information about the different visits: http://www.beronia.com/en/wine-tourism/