The US magazine Wine Enthusiast, one of the most prestigious publications in the wine sector, has awarded Marqués de Riscal as Best European Winery of the year in their Wine Star Award, which highlights the unique contribution of wine personalities in several categories.

Marqués de Riscal has competed for the distinction of Best European Winery of the Year with many wineries from all over Europe.

The name of the winners will be published on a special issue of Wine Enthusiast this month, prior to the awards ceremony to be held on 27 January in New York.

Wine Enthusiast founded 20 years ago and with about 500,000 readers, is considered one of the two “most influential wine magazines in the United States”. Since 2001, the magazine recognises with the awards Wine Star, the work of distinguished personalities from the world of wine in 10 categories.

Marqués de Riscal has always been a pioneer company that is a reference in the industry. In 1858 it became the first winemaker in La Rioja to make its wines using Bordeaux methods. In 1972 it became the first winemaker to promote the Rueda appellation of origin, where the highly rated white wines are made, and in 1991 created Barón de Chirel, the first of the new era of Rioja wines (Barón de Chirel 1986).

More recently, it officially opened Ciudad del Vino (City of Wine) with a building designed by the architect Frank O. Gehry, which is the most avant-garde building to date used by a Spanish wine-maker.

Marqués de Riscal markets its products in over 105 countries and its wines have been awarded the most acclaimed international prizes, and other awards and mentions in specialised press.

Marqués de Riscal wines are imported, marketed and distributed in Malta by Farsons Beverage Imports Co. Ltd (FBIC), a member of the Farsons Group.