CVNE Compania Vinicola del Norte de Espana

Compañia Vinicola del Norte de España (or CVNE) is a historic wine producer in the Rioja region of Spain. It has gained international acclaim for numerous wines within its large portfolio, which encompasses everything from easy-drinking table wines to top cuvées that are capable of long cellaring. One particular highlight was the 2004 Imperial Gran Reserva, which was named the top wine in the 2013 edition of Wine Spectator's Top 100.

The main CVNE winery was founded near Haro railway station in 1879, and has been owned by the same family since. The complex has 22 buildings including the original 1879 premises and a separate plant designed by the Eiffel studio and completed in 1909. CVNE owns 545 hectares (1350 acres) of vineyards, but this only represents 50 percent of production: contract growers supply the other half.

Imperial is a separate, independently functioning winery within the CVNE compound. It has its own 28ha (70 acres) of vineyards in the Rioja Alta zone, and all the wines are fermented and aged in French oak vats. The range comprises traditionally-styled Reserva and Gran Reserva red wines, plus the 'Real de Asúa' cuvée made from the best plots of vines. The Imperial label began in 1920 as an export brand for the UK, and is named for its initial bottling in Imperial pints.

CVNE also own two other wineries: Viña Real, established in 1920, and Contino, founded in 1973.