Rioja regulates the transport of musts and wines for the 2026 harvest

The Regulatory Council of the Rioja Qualified Designation of Origin has published circular office 7-2026, which establishes mandatory rules for the transfer of musts and the movement of wines during the 2026 vintage harvest. The provision appears in the Official Gazette of La Rioja number 162, dated August 25, 2026, page 14753, within section III of other provisions and acts, with official reference BOR-A-20260825-III–3289.

The regulation, signed in Logroño on August 10, 2026, by the director of the Control Body, Alejandra Rubio Gil, is based on the Standards for the Qualification of wines entitled to the Rioja Qualified Designation of Origin. The Regulatory Council carries out sampling to verify the qualification of the campaign’s wines after fermentation and at the site of the process.

General Prohibition of Transfer

Operators may not carry out any transfer of must or wine from the 2026 vintage until the Harvest Declaration has been submitted and the result of the qualification verification has been obtained. The measure affects all wineries and operators of the designation during the campaign.

Exception for White and Rosé Musts

The Regulatory Council may authorize only the transfer of white and rosé musts when there is a technical justification for quality improvement and the receiving winery possesses the appropriate technical means. For this purpose:

• The transfer authorization and its technical justification must be requested in writing.
• It is mandatory to carry a copy of the authorization in the vehicle performing the transport.
• The authorization is issued exclusively for the production of white and rosé wines, monitored from the winery of origin and subject at the destination to verification by the Regulatory Council.
• White must may only be used for white wines and rosé must only for rosé wines.

The Authorized Service of Overseers of the Regulatory Council will establish the control and surveillance measures for these transfers, which will be indicated in the corresponding authorization.

Shrinkage Applicable to Acquired Musts

Wines obtained from acquired musts will be subject to minimum shrinkage deductions borne by the buyer:

• 1% shrinkage for clarified musts.
• 4% shrinkage for unclarified musts.

The shipping winery will have the amount removed minus 1% or 4% (depending on the type of must) deducted from the protected wine corresponding to them, based on the grapes processed. If the seller and buyer agree on higher shrinkage for the buying party, the Regulatory Council will apply the agreed percentages, which must be communicated along with the transfer request.

To resolve any doubts, operators may contact the Enabled Overseers Service at 941 500 400. The regulation reinforces the traceability and quality control of the DOCa Rioja in a key campaign, ensuring that no must or wine from the 2026 vintage circulates without the official verification of the Regulatory Council.

Source: Official Gazette of La Rioja, no. 162, August 25, 2026, section III. Other provisions and acts, page 14753 (official reference: BOR-A-20260825-III–3289).