La Riojana is a wine co-op in northwest Argentina that has over 500 members, the majority of whom are small-scale farmers with less than seven acres of land each. La Riojana has improved farmer living conditions with community projects (funded with the fair-trade premium added to the cost of the wine) and is currently constructing a hospital and helping the farms certify as organic.
The wines have been sold in Europe but are new to the United States. Our wine buyer, Peg, thought they were delicious. By buying direct from La Riojana, she was able to keep the price at only $6.99 per bottle while still paying the fair-trade premium to the farmer! Weaver Street Market then connected La Riojana with other co-ops across the States.
La Riojana wines will arrive this fall. The Malbec offers lots of dark fruit, subtle complexities, and a smooth round finish. The Chardonnay, Cabernet, and Malbec blend are all of equal quality and taste.