Bodegas Vega Sicilia was founded in 1864 by Don Eloy Lecanda y Chaves, a Spanish winemaker who was trained in Bordeaux. When he returned to his hometown in Castile, he brought together with him several Bordeaux varietals which are still being used to make Vega Sicilia wines today.

In 1982, the Álvarez family who are members of the Primum Familiae Vini, bought over the winery. In the same year, Ribera del Duero was classified as Denominación de Origen (DO) in Spain.

Comparable to the First Growth wines in Bordeaux, wine expert Hugh Johnson finds Vega Sicilia’s style to be most similar to Chateau Latour among all the First Growth wines. Currently, Vega Sicilia produces 3 wines, Valbuena 5, Unico and Reserva Especial. In 1991, the Álvarez acquired a neighboring vineyard, 8 miles from the main winery, and founded Alion. In 2001, the Álvarez ventured out and created Pintia in Toro. Subsequently, Vega Sicilia & Bodegas Benjamin de Rothschild established a joint venture in 2009 and produced Macan in Rioja.