Rioja Wine’s Leading Lights – Photography by Markel Redondo
Rioja Wine’s Leading Lights is a visual essay commissioned by Wine Spectator and captured by Spanish photographer Markel Redondo. This gallery presents a selection of photographs taken for the article, which highlights some of the most influential and visionary winemakers in Spain’s Rioja region. With his documentary approach and deep knowledge of the landscape, Redondo takes us beyond the bottle, into the vineyards, cellars, and lives of the people shaping Rioja’s winemaking legacy.
Located in northern Spain, Rioja is one of the world’s most celebrated wine regions. Known for its bold reds, stunning landscapes, and centuries-old traditions, Rioja combines heritage and innovation like few other places. The feature published by Wine Spectator profiles a new generation of Rioja vintners who are honoring their roots while forging new paths—producing wines that are expressive, sustainable, and globally respected.
Through this series, Markel Redondo photographs a number of key winemakers, including both traditional family estates and cutting-edge projects. His images reveal the authentic faces behind the labels: the passion, precision, and personality that go into every vintage. Each portrait is set in its natural context—vineyards bathed in soft Spanish light, aging cellars with dramatic architecture, and rural settings that underscore the bond between wine and land.
Shot entirely on location in the Rioja Alavesa and Rioja Alta subzones, the work captures the diversity of the region’s terroirs, from chalky soils to clay slopes, and from old-vine Tempranillo to experimental blends. The photo essay is not just a tribute to fine wine, but to the culture, landscape, and resilience of northern Spain.
Redondo’s background in documentary photography is evident in every frame. Rather than staging his subjects, he works with natural light and real moments, allowing the viewer to connect directly with the story behind each image. The result is a body of work that blends editorial quality with artistic depth—ideal for wine lovers, photography enthusiasts, and anyone curious about the human stories driving Rioja’s wine renaissance.
This gallery includes selected photographs published in Wine Spectator, as well as additional outtakes that provide context and detail. From a misty morning among ancient vines to close-up portraits of winemakers inspecting their barrels, every image contributes to a broader narrative: Rioja’s enduring commitment to quality, tradition, and evolution.
The full article, titled “Rioja Wine’s Leading Lights: Vintner Profiles”, is available on the Wine Spectator website. There, you can read about the individual profiles and learn more about each winemaker’s philosophy and approach.
Markel Redondo is a visual storyteller with extensive experience in environmental and cultural reportage. His work has been featured by publications such as The New York Times, National Geographic, Le Monde, and El País Semanal. Based in Spain and working internationally, he brings a strong sense of place, narrative, and visual clarity to every assignment.
For editorial use, exhibition, or licensing inquiries regarding this Rioja wine photography series, please get in touch via the contact page or visit www.markelredondo.com.
Keywords: Rioja wine photography, Rioja Alavesa vineyards, Spanish wine portraits, Wine Spectator article Rioja, Rioja winemakers, Spanish wine region photo essay, Rioja wine visual story, Markel Redondo Wine Spectator, Tempranillo vineyard images, wine cellar photography Spain, Rioja Alta photography, documentary wine photographer Spain.
