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The association Bodegas Familiares de Rioja (BFR), consisting of 216 winegrowers, declared that it no longer wanted to participate in the governing bodies of the Consejo Regulador (Control Council) of Rioja. Likewise, its members are leaving the Interprofessional Committee Organización Interprofesional del Vino de Rioja (OIPVR). The wines will nevertheless continue to be marketed under the Rioja DOCa designation of origin.
BFR accuses the Consejo Regulador that its current strategy "violates the business models of small and medium-sized producers". The system favours large wine producers by focusing on wine volumes and high production. Although Rioja has been producing more wine than it can sell since 2017, large companies have continued to demand new planting rights until recently. The area under vines in Rioja has grown by 28,000 hectares since 1985. This has triggered the current crisis with surpluses. Since the OIPVR was founded 20 years ago, the price of a litre of Rioja has risen by 17 per cent, but the general inflation is three times that.
Fernando Ezquerro, the chairman of the Consejo Regulador and the OIPVR, condemned BFR's decision to leave the governing bodies. He said the move was "inexplicable" as reforms to the governance system had already been initiated.
BFR said it wanted "another Rioja" based on sustainable viticulture and the production of high-quality artisanal wines.
(al / source: decanter)
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