Ribera del Duero, the geography of a wine-producing innovative milieu

Abstract

The Spanish wine district of Ribera del Duero, located in the region of Castille and León, has undergone a huge transformation from its recent past, anchored in the delivery of bulk rosé wine, until the development of an innovative milieu focused upon the production of quality and aged red wines. The constitution of the Designation of Origin in 1982 and its funtional integration within the wine-oriented innovation system supported by the regional authorities are two crucial factors for a proper understanding of this requalification process which has driven Ribera del Duero towards the upper part of the ranking for Spanish wine districts. Nevertheless, the sudden blossoming of new wineries of different ownership and competitive strategies raises some doubts and questions about the future development of such a dynamic path.