Rioja wine region enacts yield limits and leadership changes ahead of centenary harvest

The DOCa Rioja wine region in Spain is entering a period of significant change as it prepares for the 2025 harvest season. The region’s governing body, the Consejo Regulador, has announced new measures that will affect both vineyard management and leadership within the organization.

Starting with the 2025 season, stricter yield limits will be enforced in the Rioja Alta and Rioja Alavesa subzones. These new rules follow similar measures adopted earlier this summer for Rioja Oriental. The decision was made after technical teams from the Consejo Regulador conducted field inspections and used artificial intelligence tools to forecast yields. Their analysis showed that weather conditions and powdery mildew have weakened vineyards, leading to an expected lower harvest despite good grape quality. The new yield cap is set at 5,850 kilograms per hectare. Growers whose plots have higher potential yields can apply for a special review through an online portal, with applications open from August 25 to September 16, or up to 15 days before their planned harvest date.

This move is part of a broader “Balance Recovery Plan” aimed at aligning actual production with authorized yields. The plan has received broad support from local winegrower associations and is intended to maintain the high standards of quality for which Rioja is known.

Alongside these regulatory changes, the Consejo Regulador will see a major leadership transition. José Luis Lapuente, who has served as general secretary and director for 27 years, will step down on September 1, 2025, as he approaches retirement. Lapuente will remain as a strategic advisor to the president for up to three years. In his place, Pablo Franco, previously head of the regulatory authority’s inspection division, has been unanimously appointed as the new general director following a selection process led by an external consulting firm. Franco has expressed his commitment to guiding Rioja through this new phase and working closely with both the team and the wider industry.

Innovation is also on the agenda for DOCa Rioja in 2025. For the first time, winemakers will be allowed to experiment with red grapes that have a lower potential alcohol content than currently permitted by regulations. This follows a June decision to allow white grapes with alcohol levels as low as 9% (down from 10.5%). For red grapes, the minimum remains at 11% except for this experimental phase, which aims to test winemaking techniques that could produce red wines with at least 10% alcohol by volume. These trials are limited to 2025 and require prior approval; wines produced under this program cannot be marketed. The results may inform future changes to official specifications as part of efforts to diversify Rioja’s offerings and respond to growing consumer demand for lighter wines.

These developments come as DOCa Rioja marks its centenary year. Founded in June 1925, it is Spain’s most important wine region and a leader in both domestic and international markets. The region covers about 100 kilometers and features diverse landscapes and climates that contribute to its wide range of wine styles. More than 600 wineries and 14,000 growers operate under the DOCa Rioja designation, producing wines that are recognized worldwide for their quality.

The Consejo Regulador continues to focus on traceability, quality control, and transparency as it adapts to changing market demands while preserving Rioja’s heritage and reputation. As these new policies take effect and leadership transitions occur, all eyes in the wine world will be on Rioja during this pivotal year.