Rioja-born executive Alba Abiega has decided to take a new direction in her professional career after more than two decades in the international corporate world. After holding positions of responsibility in different countries and at companies such as Tesla, Abiega is returning to the Ribera del Duero region to found Alba en Ribera, a family wine project based in Olmedillo de Roa, Burgos.
The winery’s origins lie in the 18 hectares of vineyards that Enrique Abiega, the founder’s father, acquired in the late 1990s. For more than twenty years, the production from these vineyards was destined for leading wineries in the designation of origin, renowned for the quality of their wines. Now, the family is taking a step further and starting to produce its own brand, thus consolidating a wine-growing legacy that unites two generations.
The winery’s first release is scheduled for this month under the label ‘Alba Abiega, desde Zero’. Two other wines will follow, hitting the market in 2026 and 2027. All the wines will share a common philosophy: limited production, respect for the land and artisanal production.
The Alba vineyard in Ribera, planted in 1999 and certified organic, is mainly composed of the Tinta Fina (Tempranillo) variety, the most representative grape variety of the Ribera del Duero region. The vines are grown using the elevated bush training system, which helps them adapt to the extreme climatic conditions of the area and enhances the quality of the grapes. The estate’s management limits production to between five and six bunches per vine, ensuring fruit with greater concentration and character.
The founder emphasises that the decision to create her own winery was driven by a desire to prioritise quality over quantity. ‘Each vine and each grape reflects the care it has received,’ explains Abiega, who insists that the key to the project is constant attention to the vineyard and its natural needs.
With this launch, Alba en Ribera joins the family projects that consolidate Ribera del Duero as one of the most highly valued designations of origin in the high-end wine sector.
