Olivier Riviere, founder and winemaker at Rayos Uva Rioja, is originally from Cognac. He studied in St-Emilion and then made wine in southern France and Burgundy before moving to Ribera del Duero in 2004, when he started leasing land and purchasing fruit for his new Spanish blends.
Finally, in 2013, Olivier bought his first 3.5 acres in Rioja Alavesa; Rayos Uva is now in its sixth vintage. Olivier’s holdings are substantially larger now, but he still sources fruit from his favorite bodegas. Grown by Bodegas Lacus where Olivier is also the winemaker, this 2021 is a blend of hand-harvested Tempranillo and Graciano that is semi-carbonically fermented in tanks with wild yeasts. Aged 10-12 months in tank and concrete foudre. An exciting Rioja with a French artisanal sensibility. Slightly filtered. It is recommended to open the bottle half an hour before consuming it to express the true potential.
