Carlos Serres

carlos-serres

Pioneer
in Rioja exports

The international focus of Carlos Serres was the starting point of our century-old winery which started its business activities in 1896 as an export merchant

This unique, export-focused registration was a true novelty in a region where there had been no winery registered in those terms to date.
Originally located in the Haro Station District, the Carlos Serres winery merged winemaking techniques imported from France and the taste of a terroir with character. Two unique features supported the international expansion of its wines which, in just a few years, were already present on the other side of the Atlantic.
International focus

The Person

Wine has a history. And history is full of wine. That of Carlos Serres (Charles, in French) is one of them. One of those which happen once in a lifetime and perdure.

Not only because he saw in Haro a perfect place to make wine of great quality but, above all, because he envisaged a new horizon for Rioja wine not considered until then: international exports.

He came from Bordeaux, where the phylloxera pest had compromised
winemaking. This famous French wine consultant found in Haro the perfect terroir to make Bordeaux style wines, with a climate and terrain which reminded him of the best terroirs in Bordeaux.

A perfect place to make wines that met the quality, flavour and personality expectations of the most discerning international palates. Elegant wines with a Rioja flavour, ready to conquer; even overseas.
Pioneer in Rioja exports
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“I founded my winery in Haro so the world would discover the virtues of this land and its elegant wines ”

– Carlos Serres –

International
focus

Firmly convinced about the opportunities of Haro as Rioja Alta wine capital, Carlos Serres engaged in a profound change in the way wine was understood.

This change brought about the creation of the Rioja Wine Exporters Syndicate in 1907, precursor of today’s Rioja Designation of Origin Control Board.
The role of Carlos Serres as wine ageing and exporting promoter makes him one of the key personalities in Rioja’s winemaking history.

Thanks to his visionary approach, by the early 20th century our wines were found in France, England, Cuba and the United States.