Riaza
Riaza produces Rhône and Spanish-inspired wines from El Dorado County in California's Sierra Foothills. The winery focuses on varietals suited to the region's warm, elevation-driven climate: Monastrell, Syrah, Grenache, Tempranillo, Graciano, and Zinfandel. Prospector, a Monastrell, anchors the portfolio and has earned recognition from Wine Enthusiast. Unorthodox, a Shiraz expression, and Diablo Rojo, a field blend of Grenache, Tempranillo, Graciano, and Zinfandel, round out the core offerings. The Sierra Foothills terroir—marked by diurnal temperature swings and well-draining soils—suits these varieties' ripening patterns and structural development. Riaza's selections reflect the region's capacity for bold, textured reds with the mineral precision and acidity that elevation provides.
Critics
Wine Enthusiast