- It was the first time that five great wineries from the emblematic Station Quarter of Haro (La Rioja) have travelled abroad together to showcase the greatness of their wines and the beauty of a unique destination in the world.
- On Manhattan’s iconic High Line, Rioja has put its stamp on the wines of Spain with a unique event called “Rioja Railway Wine Experience”.
The Station District has disembarked in the Big Apple of New York to offer a unique event in which the philosophy of the great wines of five of the most important wineries of La Rioja and the Spanish wine scene has been presented: Bodegas Gómez Cruzado, La Rioja Alta, S.A., Bodegas Bilbaínas Viña Pomal, Bodegas Muga and Bodegas RODA.
The “Rioja Railway Wine Experience”, which took place on 22 May, brought together personalities from the wine industry in the United States, as well as institutions, including representatives from Turespaña and the Chamber of Commerce. Manhattan’s iconic High Line, an elevated section of the East Side Line of the now defunct New York Central Railroad, was the place chosen as a nod to the Haro railway, around which the famous Station District was born in the mid-19th century, essential for the gradual birth of its wineries.
During the celebration of the event, an exclusive historical master tasting was held for the most renowned American journalists and tasters, led by Pedro Ballesteros MW, the first Spanish Master of Wine, who retraced the centenary history of the neighbourhood and its wines.
In addition, the five wineries also organised a ‘Grand Tasting’ aimed, on the one hand, at professionals in the sector and, on the other hand, at the gourmet public. In total, more than 700 attendees were able to enjoy some of the best wines from La Rioja together with different tapas prepared for the occasion by leading chefs from the United States.
Manu Muga, vice-president of the Barrio de la Estación Association remarked that “it is an honour to visit New York and bring all the spirit and philosophy of our Rioja wines. Today we have put Barrio de la Estación on the map and the United States has responded with enthusiasm by understanding our winemaking tradition”. He also stressed that “the United States is the most important market for Rioja wines and with Rioja Railway Wine Experience we are reinforcing the culture and style of Spanish wines”.
This initiative reflects the international projection that the wineries are determined to give to the Barrio de la Estación to promote its historical and cultural value as the cradle of Rioja wine and as one of the best wine tourism destinations in the world, unique thanks to its concentration of century-old wineries. In this first event, “Rioja Railway Wine Experience” will connect the philosophy, culture, tradition and renowned quality of the wines produced in the historic Rioja district with the city of New York through a late 19th century setting with a 1920s aesthetic. Without a doubt, a unique occasion for all lovers of Spanish wine and culture in the United States, the source of a high percentage of visitors to this wine region and an essential market for Rioja wine.
The Haro Station District, committed to the James Beard Foundation
The “Rioja Railway Wine Experience” event also has a charitable function. Thirty percent of the proceeds from the tickets will go to the James Beard Foundation, the leading US NGO in the gastronomic sector, which awards the James Beard Awards every year. The American foundation aims to create programmes for the improvement of food and sustainability, guided by the values of respect, transparency, diversity, sustainability and equality.
Official website:: www.riojarailwaywineexperience.com
Facebook: Rioja Railway Wine Experience
Twitter: @RiojaRailway
Instagram: @riojarailway
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCR5UCFbDNk09_B6QYYZi-xA
