Rioja & Barolo: A Dialogue Among Excellence
Strada del Barolo e grandi vini di Langa and Ente Fiera Internazionale del Tartufo Bianco d’Alba on the occasion of the 96° Alba International White Truffle Fair, are promoting an initiative of international importance. Following the success of the activities carried out with the wine-growing regions of Champagne, Burgundy, California, Etna and South Tyrol, from 13 to 15 November 2026 a delegation of institutions and producers of prestigious wineries in Rioja will be guests in the Langhe to take part in a series of high-level activities, with the aim of jointly promoting the famous names that distinguish the two territories, in the UNESCO setting of Langhe-Roero and Monferrato, in the wake of the international spotlight of the Truffle Fair.
The visiting delegation
The Rioja delegation, led by the Consejo Regulador DOCa. Rioja, will include wineries and institutions of the area, together with a reference chef who will sign the gala dinner, offering a cuisine representative of the Spanish gastronomic tradition:
- Raquel Pérez Cuevas: President of the Consejo Regulador DOCa Rioja. He combines his deep knowledge of the Rioja region and winemaking tradition with solid international experience.
- Pablo Franco Sarria: General Director of the Consejo Regulador DOCa Rioja, after having led the Denomination Control Body for ten years.
- Iñigo Torres Andrés: President of the DOCa Rioja Promotion Committee and producer representative. General Manager of Esencia Rioja, the largest wine group in the Denomination.
- Mar Vilanova de la Torre: Director of the Instituto de Ciencias de la Vid y del Vino (ICVV) since 2024. She is also a researcher at the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) at the ICVV.
- Pedro Ballesteros Torres: Master of Wine, agronomist engineer and master’s degree in Viticulture and Oenology, he obtained the WSET Diploma with distinction; he became Master of Wine in 2010, the first Spaniard to obtain this prestigious title.
- Alfredo Sánchez Sodupe: President of the Rioja Wine Cooperatives (FECOAR), vice-president of the Davalillo Cooperative, and member of the Rioja Regulatory Council.
- Alejandro Las Heras: belongs to the third generation of a winemaking family and is a member of the Asociación de Jóvenes Agricultores de La Rioja (ARAG-ASAJA), where he serves as head and coordinator of the wine area.
- Pelayo de la Mata y Pobes, Marqués de Vargas: a leading figure in the Spanish wine sector and president of the Marqués de Vargas Wine Group since 2002. Under his leadership, the company consolidated its prestige in Spain and on international markets.
- Isaac Muga: Belongs to the third generation of the Muga family. Winemaker and technical director, he has a solid background in biology, oenology and business management.
- David González de Marcos: an established winemaker from Rioja with thirty years of experience in winemaking in various wine-growing areas. He is currently the technical director of the cellars of the Perelada Chivite / Viña Salceda group.
- Javier Ruiz de Galarreta: founder and CEO of Araex Grand Spanish Fine Wines, he leads a group that brings together 17 wineries belonging to 14 Spanish Designations of Origin.
- Ignacio Echapresto: self-taught chef from Rioja with 2 Michelin stars and thirty years of experience. Always deeply attached to his country, Daroca de Rioja, and the territory of Rioja, in his restaurant Venta Moncalvillo offers authentic cuisine with strong ties to the territory.
Program
On Friday, November 13, 2026, a tasting of Barolo DOCG is scheduled for the guest delegation. A guided tasting with an introduction to Rioja wines by the guest wineries will follow. In the evening, a Friendship Dinner is planned at the Ca’ del Re restaurant in Verduno, with representatives of Rioja and a group of Barolo producers presenting their wines alongside the various courses.
On Saturday, November 14, an important conference will be held with an agronomic nature with analysis of the methodologies adopted and being tested in the two territories to address the rise in temperatures in the vineyard. The meeting is open to all interested companies and operators: free access (with mandatory registration), subject to availability.
On Saturday afternoon, a public Masterclass “Rioja & Barolo: Time, Terroir, Identity” will be held with a guided tasting of Barolo and Rioja wines: tickets for the Masterclass will be on sale at fieradeltartufo.org.
The day will conclude with the Rioja & Barolo Gala Dinner, at the Castello di Roddi, with a themed menu paired with Alba White Truffle and various labels of Barolo DOCG and Rioja wines: tickets will be on sale on the website fieradeltartufo.org.
On Sunday, November 15th, guests will visit some wineries associated with the Strada del Barolo.
To learn more and participate as a producer in this important initiative, contact staff@stradadelbarolo.it.
