It all started in Haro. History of quality wines in Spain.
The Barrio de la Estación in Haro is a must-see destination for wine lovers due to its historical significance, its unique concentration of renowned wineries, and its crucial role in the transformation of Riojan viticulture in the 19th century. Let’s break down the historical context, the evolution of Riojan wine, and the importance of the railway in this process:
Before the arrival of the French: Quality of Riojan grapes
Before the arrival of French winemakers after the phylloxera crisis (from 1860-1870), grapes in La Rioja already had a remarkable quality due to climatic and geographical factors. The Mediterranean climate with Atlantic influences, combined with clay and calcareous soils, offered ideal conditions for growing vines. However, local winemaking methods were rudimentary, and wines were more oriented towards local or regional consumption, without a homogeneous quality standard.
The arrival of the French and their influence
Phylloxera devastated vineyards in France in the second half of the 19th century, forcing French producers to look for alternatives to meet the demand for wine. They came to La Rioja with their technical knowledge and equipment, introducing innovations such as:
Aging in oak barrels: This improved the conservation capacity and quality of the wine.
Winemaking standards: More rigorous processes were adopted to ensure more homogeneous and long-lasting wines.
This transformed local production, elevating La Rioja as a wine region of international prestige.
The construction of the train station and the export of wine
The need to export wine in large volumes made the construction of the train station in Haro essential at the end of the 19th century. This development was linked to:
Volume of wine: French demand was gigantic, and rail transport offered a logistical capacity that other methods, such as carts or barges, could not match.
Efficiency and speed: The railway allowed wine to be transported in less time, preserving its quality.
The investment in infrastructure was considerable, but it was justified by the export volumes, which more than compensated for the initial expenditure.
The impact on La Rioja around 1870
The period after 1870 marked a before and after in La Rioja:
Economic transformation: Winemaking became the economic engine of the region.
Urbanization: Haro and its surroundings experienced a construction boom, with wineries, warehouses and a complex logistics network.
Growth of exports: France became the main destination for Riojan wine.
Evolution of exports to France and other regions (1870-1960)
1870-1880s: Initial boom
The French massively bought Riojan wine to make up for their deficit.
Production increased rapidly, with a focus on robust reds to blend with French wines.
1890s: Initial Decline
French vineyards began to recover thanks to the introduction of phylloxera-resistant varieties.
Demand for Rioja wine decreased, forcing Rioja wineries to seek other markets and diversify quality.
1900s-1910s: Consolidation
Quality standards were strengthened and wineries began to focus on exporting to countries other than France.
1920s-1930s: Crisis
World War I (1914-1918) and the post-war period reduced exports.
The global economic crisis of 1929 severely impacted international demand for wine.
1940s: Stagnation
The Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) and World War II (1939-1945) paralyzed production and exports.
1950s and 1960s: Renaissance
The wineries were modernised and there was renewed interest in exports, especially to European and American markets.
Conclusion
The development of the Barrio de la Estación in Haro is a testament to the impact of phylloxera in France and how La Rioja was able to adapt to the circumstances, becoming one of the main wine regions in the world. The railway was key in this process, marking a stage of modernisation and internationalisation that laid the foundations for the current prestige of Rioja wines.
