winery

Olivier Rivière

Spain

Philosophy

Whole-cluster or partially-stemmed fermentations with indigenous yeasts; minimal maceration; aged in stainless steel, cement tanks, foudre, and neutral oak. Sulfites added only at bottling. The wines express site specificity through transparency of winemaking, following Burgundian quality hierarchy rather than Spanish aging classifications.

Reputation

Born in Cognac and trained in Montagne St-Émilion's biodynamic methods, Olivier Rivière arrived in Rioja Alavesa in 2004 as a consultant viticulturist and remained to establish his own project from 2006 onward. His Burgundian sensibility—grounded in apprenticeship with Domaine Leroy, Domaine de Chassorney, and Fred Cossard—led him to refound Rioja's terroir expression through vintage-independent cuvée hierarchy and non-interventionist winemaking.

AllocationProducer operates across two countries: primary project in Rioja/Arlanza (Spain) since 2006; newer Bordeaux (Côtes de Bourg/Lansac) project acquired 2022 with 14 hectares (sources report 10 hectares earlier). Spanish sources list 25 hectares total across Rioja regions; Bordeaux addition post-dates most US/UK importer listings. No dedicated producer website found; office contact via Rioja DOC listing. Organic certification status indicated by Bowler Wine database codes (DB3485-20, DB3517-22) but specific certifying body not named in sources. Biodynamic practices claimed across sources but no Demeter seal documented. First harvest 2006; some sources cite 2009 as first commercial wine. Sold vineyard parcels Pozo Alto and Losares after 2020 vintage. Production volume estimated from bottle counts in Spanish Wine Lover (~130k bottles Rayos Uva + other cuvées). Japanese importer Vineland confirms nickname 'Ganko' (stubborn). No direct website or email beyond general Rioja DOC contact. Consejo Regulador lists address: Calle Bretón de los Herreros, 14, 26001 Logroño. | Importer overflow captured (importer_japan): 'Vineland (wine export agency)' | Importer overflow captured (importer_other): 'Pearl of Burgundy (Asia)'

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