Torre de Oña, a 4.25-hectare Tempranillo vineyard, sits at 575m above sea level on a east-facing limestone and sandstone slope. The ragged Sierra de Cantabria mountains to the north work as a natural barrier, protecting the vines from the cold and wet northerly winds formed over the Bay of Biscay. A Foehn effect is produced, where the rain-laden clouds cause precipitation on the northern slopes, sliding over the crest to reach the water-starved vines. Since 2005, La Rioja Alta has been using satellite images to identify various sub-plots in its vineyards and then making and ageing wines from each plot separately to further enhance the terroir quality in its wines.
