A project for life
with a name and surname behind it
The Forner family has left its mark on our journey. More than five generations, a restless spirit that spread from their chateaux in France to their new home in La Rioja Alta. A model that has revolutionised the concept of Rioja wine thanks to a combination of effort, sacrifice and entrepreneurial spirit.
Enrique Forner founded the winery in 1970, transforming the manner of understanding wine in Rioja by maintaining a clear focus on creating wines that speak for themselves, with quality in every detail. Today, that same philosophy continues to point the way and his daughter Cristina keeps the spirit alive.
1920
1963
Roots an innovative vision
Immersed in the world of wine since childhood, Enrique Forner, Cristina’s father, grew up alongside ‘Vinícola Forner’, the family business founded in 1920 by his father and grandfather. The family combined the production, marketing and export of wines under the same name in the city of Sagunto, Valencia
After being exiled during the Civil War, Enrique found a new opportunity in France. In 1952, he set up a winery in the Rhône and Loire valleys, and in 1963 he gave his career a major boost with the acquisition of two châteaux grands crus classés in Haut Médoc, Bordeaux: Château Camensac and Château Larose Trintaudon. His dream: to create wines capable of competing with the best in the world.
He returned to Spain in 1968 and chose to continue his great project in the heart of La Rioja Alta. With the support of his friend and mentor, the Bordeaux wine pioneer Emile Peynaud, he brought this innovative spirit to Cenicero. This is how Marqués de Cáceres was born, a label that rapidly achieved a high international standing
1970
Our house innovation and legacy
Faced with a Rioja stuck in the past, Enrique Forner decided to adopt the latest techniques with a view to revolutionising the winemaking tradition.
Peynaud’s modern vision inspired Enrique Forner to apply techniques that his friend had already mastered in Bordeaux: strict control of the vineyards, careful selection of grapes, cold fermentation to capture the freshest aromas, aging in new and semi-new French oak barrels, and prolonged in-bottle times. All to bring out the finesse and elegance of Tempranillo in Rioja.
1980
1990
The new era reinventing Rioja
Breaking the mould was Marqués de Cáceres’ main character trait from the outset. Its first reds – a Crianza from 1970 and Reserva from 1968 – made their debut in 1975 even before the label had set up its own facilities.
While the Rioja of the time was trapped in a vortex of wood-based aging and oxidation, Enrique Forner made a radical change. His vibrant and fresh Riojas shone above the oak, fusing the tradition of Tempranillo with a fresh, modern style that defied convention.
He didn’t stop there. The whites and rosés also benefited from his creative touch: he bypassed the wood to offer wines full of youth, intense aromas and fresh fruit. In 1980 his clear vision led to the restructuring of the label’s Spanish distribution, taking Marqués de Cáceres to all corners of the country
1983
Cristina Forner the international stage
The success of Marqués de Cáceres was not a matter of chance. An unstoppable sales team hit the road, packing their cases with wines that spoke for themselves. From restaurant to restaurant, chefs and sommeliers supported the project from the very first sip.
Cristina Forner, now at the helm of the family winery, joined the business in 1983 with one goal: to help Marqués de Cáceres conquer the international stage. And she succeeded. Today, Bodegas Marqués de Cáceres exports more than 50% of its production and has made its mark in more than 120 countries. The brand is a member of the Leading Brands of Spain Forum and, in addition to being the best-known Rioja in the country, is now ranked among the 50 most admired wine brands in the world, according to Drinks International.
1990
2000
New times terroir and quality
The 1990s saw the emergence of a new interest in creating profiles that were different from the traditional Rioja wines from Bordeaux. A path that Enrique Forner had already decided to follow 20 years earlier and that he continued to pursue advised by Michel Rolland, the most influential winemaker of the time in Bordeaux.
Maintaining its commitment to quality, Marqués de Cáceres celebrated the opening of what was its third winemaking facility in 1996, designed exclusively to produce the jewels in its crown. Three years later, in 1999, a new era was uncorked with the launch of Gaudium 1994, a wine that not only marked the start of a new saga, but also incorporated the oldest vineyards of Cenicero and San Vicente de la Sonsierra. This land dating back to 1970 – a legacy of the original providers and their descendants – continues to preserve the essence of the winemaking tradition.
2010
Four decades at the top a journey of flavour and success
The start of the century was a veritable obstacle course in the Rioja region. With the price of grapes soaring, only the most solid wineries such as Bodegas Marqués de Cáceres managed to stay on course without losing their place on restaurant menus or on shop shelves.
As the economic boom in Spain picked up speed, new wines suddenly appeared with exorbitant prices. In spite of this inflation, Cristina Forner remained firm in her vision and principles. She did not allow herself to be swept away by the tide of high prices; instead, she expanded the catalogue with specially-created new products, such as the MC and the Paco Rabanne 40th Anniversary (2010). These wines were highly praised by the specialist press and stood out in the point-based rankings.
As Cristina Forner herself stated: “quality wine is not a speculative business.” As a result, while many were carried away by the wine gold rush, Marqués de Cáceres remained faithful to its essence, offering products at prices that respect the work of its winegrowers and preserve their authenticity.
the marquisate
The history of our name
Enrique Forner and Don Vicente Noguera, the Marquis of Cáceres and Grandee of Spain, had a special relationship that was forged when they were children and lasted until their final days.
Vicente helped to set up the winery and gave up his title at a commercial level when it began to market its wines in 1974.
Today, Juan Noguera, Vicente’s son, preserves the title of Marquis of Cáceres and has retained a direct personal relationship with the Forner family.
