Some dreams take a while to come true. Some projects are full of hopeful anticipation but seem difficult to success. For many years they undergo ups and downs, change places, change names, wander about. But they are just taking their time. Their spirit remains under any circumstances, until one day someone manages to find the proper way to lead them to success.

This is the history of Rioja Vega . Its origins go back to 1882 when Don Felipe Ugalde established a Bodega bearing his name in Haro. It is easy to imagine Don Felipe's dream: to produce the highest quality wines and to make his Bodega one of the most prestigious of the country. It is also easy to understand the expectations he had on that small family business, the endeavour of his heirs to keep the production of the Bodega for more than a century.

A changeover took place in 1948. The Ugalde family became related by marriage to the Muerza, another winemaking family of the neighbourhood. Both bodegas joined forces establishing the production in San Adrián under the name of Bodegas Muerza. Don Felipe´s name disappeared, but his dream did not. It was a period of prosperity.

The equipment was renewed and the distribution network improved. Wine was sold in Spain as well as in Germany, Great Britain, Denmark, US, Venezuela and Switzerland. Moreover, a depot in Pasajes de San Pedro supplied the fleet with a specially treated wine which was much in demand among Portuguese sailors who exchanged it for coffee. Many different people all over the world shared Don Felipe´s dream now.

Many years later in 1983, the winery was acquired by Group Príncipe de Viana. Sales have increased considerably since then. Nowadays 70% of the production is sold in Spain, the rest is exported to more than 15 countries.

But we intend to do more; we want to carry out Don Felipe´s dream. For this reason we have started a new project: Rioja Vega, with a completely new image, a renewed equipment and staff. Our only aim is to fulfil that old dream.