Terrific Tondonia: a ‘staple’ of wine enthusiasts’ collections

Auction update – in association with iDealwine

This icon from La Rioja Alta – celebrated for its lengthy maturation regime – remains highly sought-after by collectors at iDealwine auctions

An iconic name from Spain’s Rioja region, Viña Tondonia is known for its slow winemaking process, with wines only released after many years in the cellar. Owned by R López de Heredia, this vineyard of over 100 hectares on the banks of the River Ebro in Rioja Alta has become a staple of wine enthusiasts’ collections. First planted in 1913, the vineyard is home to Tempranillo, Garnacha, Graciano and Mazuelo vines for its red wines, as well as Viura and Malvasía vines for its white wines, both of which are produced as reserva or gran reserva bottles. The López de Heredia family, which has been making wine since 1877, is proud to say that only grapes grown within the region have ever entered their wines, even when the Rioja DOC regulatory body allowed it. As such, the estate was awarded a Diploma de Garantía (Certificate of Guarantee), confirming that every vintage was crafted with grapes only coming from the Rioja region. This is the only producer to be given such an honour, and the certificate can be found on the back label of its bottles. These bottles are only released once the wine has been left to rest for what can seem to be an eternity. The reserva wines spend six years ageing, while the gran reserva matures for 10 years. This all takes place in 225-litre barrels made from American oak, which take up 6,000 square metres of cellar space, giving you an idea of the winery’s impressive size. Now about the wine… The Blanco Reserva blends together wonderful aromas such as beeswax, nuts and cooked apple, and is beloved by wine enthusiasts for its complexity and longevity. iDealwine, the leading French online wine auction house, has seen many vintages of this wine pass through its doors. Using its handy Price Estimate tool, we can see that 2012, the most recent vintage sold, is valued at €111, with the oldest vintage, 1922, said to be worth €263. A rare gem, the Blanco Gran Reserva has made just one appearance at iDealwine auctions. A bottle from 1996 went under the hammer in February 2025 for €288. The winery’s red wines command similar prices. In 2024, a bottle of 1920 Reserva was auctioned for €540 on the website, making it the fifth highest-priced Spanish wine of the year. Meanwhile, five bottles of the Gran Reserva, with its aromas of vanilla and dried berries, have featured in auction catalogues since the start of the year. The oldest was from 1947 and sold for €300, while the youngest was a bottle from 2001, going for €263. In total, 111 bottles produced by Viña Tondonia were sold at iDealwine auctions in 2024, for an average price of €137, and the desire for its wine is not slowing down, with 203 bottles having already been sold since the start of 2025.

The Ribera del Duero region, located a little further south-west, accounted for 17% of the bottles sold and almost half the value (46%), with a high average price of €212, undoubtably boosted by Vega Sicilia, the region’s icon. The number of its bottles sold under iDealwine’s hammer rose considerably in 2024 (going from 186 to 327), but prices softened (the average price was down 4% to €290), as was often the case for the most prestigious wines at the top end of the price scale. Last year, some unique and collectable bottles from this illustrious estate appeared at auction – a 1923 Único sold for €2,438, a 1947 for €1,250 and a 1962 for €1,188. As of the end of May 2025, 877 bottles of Spanish wine have already been sold at iDealwine auctions, with buyers from a wide variety of countries. More specifically for Viña Tondonia, wine enthusiasts in France and the US win the most bottles at auction.

About iDealwine.com

• Founded in 2000, iDealwine is France’s top wine auctioneer and leading online wine auction house worldwide. • Fine Spirits Auction (FSA) is iDealwine’s dedicated spirits platform, launched in partnership with La Maison du Whisky, a French specialist in high-end spirits since 1956. Seven auctions of the finest whisky, rum, Cognac and more take place annually. • Based in Paris, and with offices in Bordeaux and Hong Kong, iDealwine sources rare bottles from European cellars, private collections and direct from producers before meticulously authenticating and shipping to enthusiasts, collectors and trade customers worldwide. • If you are keen to sell your wines or spirits, check out idealwine.com.