Bodegas Heras Cordón

In the heart of Rioja Alta, the Heras Cordón family has been making Rioja for five generations. Their story began in the 19th century in the vineyards and underground cellars of Rioja Alavesa and today the family continues that tradition from their winery in Fuenmayor.

Heras Cordón combines the character of traditional Rioja with modern winemaking, working with vineyards across some of the region’s most respected villages. The family owns around 100 hectares and works closely with local growers to source grapes from a further 60 hectares.

But there is another remarkable chapter to their story. For almost two decades, Heras Cordón has supplied Rioja to the Vatican — a relationship that began with Pope John Paul II and continues today. They remain the only Rioja winery authorized to supply the Vatican.

Behind the wines is a very Spanish family story: generations of hard work, vineyards, tradition and a strong belief that when your family name is on the bottle, you have a responsibility to make something worthy of it.

This is Rioja with history, family and a very personal sense of place.

 

Located in Fuenmayor, which lies in the heart of the D.O.Ca. Rioja wine region and has a long tradition of viticulture and winery activity, the winery profits from the fertile lands that have been prized for grape cultivation for centuries.

Construction of the new winery began in 1995 with a 10-meter underground excavation where Rioja wines destined for aging and reserve are aged and matured. As a nod to its traditional past, the winery was built with stones from abandoned 19th-century railway stations. Its distinctive feature is its door. Originally from a ruined cloistered monastery in Segovia, it was recovered and restored to offer a majestic welcome to visitors.

In 2001, the winery’s construction was completed, coinciding with the production of the first Heras Cordón wine in these facilities, which the Regulatory Council rated as an excellent vintage and the vintage of the century.

The Heras Cordón family’s Rioja red winemaking tradition dates back to the 19th century when they built their first cellars, carved into the earth and rock, in Lapuebla de Labarca, in the Rioja Alavesa region.

Jose Luis Heras Cordón is the CEO of a winery with a meteoric rise and significant accolades. Located in the Rioja Alta region, Heras Cordón holds the distinction of being the only winery within this Designation of Origin authorized to supply the Pope.

Today, the winery is managed by three Cordón brothers, José Luis, Juan Carlos and Sergio, fifth-generation winemakers from Lapuebla de Labarca. blending modern technology with traditional winemaking practices to create remarkable aged red wines.

A lover of the countryside and animals, Juan Carlos lives with his wife and his 15-month-old son—his greatest joy—surrounded by vineyards, sheep, horses, chickens, pigs, and a fighting cow he has raised since she was just a few months old. “I love animals, but only out of passion; I don’t eat them—the only thing I use is the chickens’ eggs,” he says. His day begins at six in the morning when he gets up to feed his animals: “I let them out of the stables to roam the estate; that’s what really gives me the energy to start a hard day’s work.”

Getting to this point took a long time and the Heras Cordón brothers highlight the role of their father, Felipe, and his entrepreneurial spirit. They recall how their father started by selling a flock of sheep to buy a taxi: “From there, he went on to found the excavation and earthmoving company ‘Pelokaki Plantaciones y Servicios de Castilla y León’—’Pelokaki’ came from a childhood nickname referring to his light-colored hair—and he invested everything he earned into the winery.” Since then, they have remained mindful of the importance of crafting fine wine when the family name serves as the product’s calling card: “When you put your surname on a label, you cannot afford to let down your customers or the people who have placed their trust in you,” Juan Carlos asserts. He emphasizes the philosophy that should guide a business: “You must be hardworking and steadfast in pursuing your goals and aspirations, kind to others, and mindful of the importance of good manners.”

When he speaks of values, he speaks of his family—for whom he has nothing but praise. They taught him to help others without expecting anything in return, to be grateful, to believe in friendship, and to value humility and simplicity: “Family is our reality. We are very human and very close-knit. My parents have been a huge help to the four of us siblings; my mother instilled in us the habit of rising early and the importance of hard work and being a good person. My father, meanwhile, is a very calm man; he has never acted as a ‘boss’ to us, even though we work alongside him.” One thing that stands out in his memory is their welcoming nature: “It was a regular occurrence for my father to come home with someone when I was a child; my parents’ home was always an open house.”

With a long history, Heras Cordón combines traditional and modern winemaking of Crianza and Reserva wines, covered by the Rioja Certificate of Origin producing quality Rioja wines and one is particularly special as it is destined only for the Pope. This winery boasts being the only Rioja winery with a presence in the Vatican, a relationship that began almost 20 years ago with John Paul II and continues to this day with 2,000 bottles now making their way to Rome via Madrid every year.

Currently the family owns 100 hectares of vineyards and also purchases the production from another 60 hectares from local growers, whom they advise to ensure they obtain exceptional grapes. All the vineyards are located in two prestigious sub-regions renowned for their quality: Rioja Alta (Fuenmayor, Cenicero, and Navarrete) and Rioja Alavesa (Laguardia, Elciego, and Lapuebla de La Barca).

The tradition started with John Paul II who opened the doors of the Vatican to the Fuenmayor-based winemakers after a contest aimed at choosing which La Rioja winery would win the prestigious contract.

Benedict XVI extended the contract and now Pope Francis – who comes from a completely different wine culture in Argentina – has given his seal of approval to Heras Cordón’s blend of tempranillo, graciano and mazuelo (carignan) grapes which are grown in established vineyards between Lapuebla de Labarca and Fuenmayor.

The Heras Cordón family’s production of Rioja red wine dates back to the 19th century. It was during this period that they built their first cellars—excavated into the earth and rock—in Lapuebla de Labarca, in the Rioja Alavesa region. In those early years, production volumes were low, as the wine was intended for local consumption and sold in bulk. Production was interrupted by the Civil War but resumed shortly thereafter alongside the modernization of the winery, which included the production of ‘crianza‘ wines aged in oak barrels, primarily of French origin.

For Example:

Heras Cordón Vendimia Seleccionada 2021 Tempranillo, Garnacha, and Mazuelo.
Without a doubt, the most sought-after and irresistible Rioja red from the winery. An exquisite blend of Tempranillo, Mazuelo, and Graciano. A wine crafted for those who appreciate the region’s most traditional style. Perfect for accompanying any culinary occasion.

Or..

Ana de Heras Cordón 2025 Viura.
The winery’s tribute to Viura, the classic white grape variety of Rioja. It offers a fresh profile, full of seductive sensations driven by aromas of yellow and white fruits—such as peach, pear, and apricot—intermingled with subtle citrus notes.

To visit Bodega Heras Cordón, booking in advance is essential. Experiences include a guided tour of the vineyards and the stone-and-wood facilities, tastings of their renowned Rioja-designated wines, and the option to enjoy a regional tasting menu.

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