Rioja Holistic Home was born over time from living and observing the values of Riojans for their land and culture, while also witnessing over decades growing non-hereditary illnesses and environmental damage. Nature provides so much for us, and in Rioja, this reverence always surfaced in rich exchanges from conversations at local bistros to walks in the vineyards with winemakers who genuinely marvel at nature. Winemakers whose hobbies are often mushroom foraging or bird watching versus golf or tennis…
Our tag line “Raising Consciousness” asks one to take a deeper look on how we care for what is important to us and what stewardship we employ for today and next generations.
In 2003, my family experienced an unexpected and profound awakening when my toddler daughter was diagnosed with pediatric cancer. We had no prior family experience with cancer, and it was very traumatic. When her excellent MSKCC medical team shared they knew how to treat it but “not why nor where it came from,” it became a ruminating question that never went away… even though we all resumed our lives when the treatment ended. After that time, and heeding to the medical team’s advice I returned to my career which within a few years took me to an exclusive contract with the Rioja Wine Government while writing a book.
Working in the Rioja wine industry also led me to the wonderful country of Canada, where I was able to participate in the 2019 Tasting Climate Change Conference, founded in 2017 by Master of Wine Michelle Bouffard. A scholarly, passionate wine professional and accomplished musician, Michelle created this conference as an awakening to industry professionals. TORRES Winery from Spain, acknowledged as one of the greatest wineries in the world, had in attendance as a speaker the distinguished Mr. Miguel Torres, who has instituted numerous sustainability methods and work in both the vineyards and winemaking. Miguel began his presentation by stating that in 2007, he went with his wife to see the documentary An Inconvenient Truth, based on the book An Inconvenient Truth by Al Gore, published in 2006. So moved by the film he shared how after the movie he stood up in the theatre in Barcelona and said to his wife “we simply must do something". Since that time Torres has become a leading winery in the world for sustainable practices and activism in the wine industry with emblematic work many others emulate. Both the film and book were released in the same year where the film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival.
I had also read Al Gore's book in 2006 that remains in my personal library and insisted my young children watch the movie too. They were equally moved as Mr. Torres; my third son recalls sharing the movie in conversation with his 5th-grade classmates. Since then I have also intended to do my part, however creating Rioja Holistic Home “raised my consciousness deeper and deeper at every turn. The life cycle of a natural fiber vs. a synthetic one. The mountains of plastic and synthetic-fiber garbage literally shoveled into other, less fortunate countries. An increasing awareness of “deceptive marketing” about not only textiles and product ingredients yet the truth about the recyclability of plastics and their health and environmental damages. Does one really want to have their baby be wrapped in or hugging plastic?
In the late stages of creating Rioja Holistic Home, I was fortunate enough to find the book" The Climate Optimist Handbook" by Anne Therese Gennari. Anne Therese is a leading authority on Climate Change. Anne truly received a “calling” for this work in a significant bodily experience. Today, she remains a thought leader, active Climate Optimist, and Mother. The Climate Optimist is a recommended read and excellent body of work for both the beginner and advanced climate-conscious human being. There are many valuable facts, perspectives, and actionable ideas in Anne’s book, but one I love so very much that aligns with the values of Rioja Holistic Home is “be the one”. Every forward step for a better choice counts. Our consumer perception and values are often propelled by deceptive marketing language and tactics flooding our space at light speed, but we can pivot. Perhaps less is more? And better and less makes good sense?
When we began the build of Rioja Holistic Home, an increment in natural disasters had already begun, as they were well predicted in Mr. Gore’s book. However, this summer of 2026 presented increasingly catastrophic events at the forefront of many countries: continual fires in Europe destroying thousands of acres, a string of earthquakes in two contiguous countries of South America, and more. While we are not empowered to solve everything, we can do our part. These events can create an awakening, and we do have the power of choices that can contribute to health, well-being, and custodianship of the earth. At Rioja Holistic Home, our values and collections lean into this path. They are healthy, beautiful, uplifting, and compassed in the right direction.
Ana Fabiano
Founder, Rioja Holistic Home
Author, The Wine Region of Rioja