Azpillaga Urarte

is a highly respected, traditional winery located in the village of Lanciego in the Rioja Alavesa

subregion of the Rioja DOCa, in the Basque Country, Spain. The winery is run by the Azpillaga Urarte family, who are committed to maintaining the history and integrity of their high-altitude, calcareous vineyards. They represent the classic, small-scale farming tradition of the region, focusing on wines that express the unique continental climate and distinct Alavesa terroir.

🌿 Philosophy and Viticulture

The Azpillaga Urarte family manages their vineyards with great respect for the environment, often adhering to sustainable and near-organic practices, though the focus remains firmly on tradition and terroir expression. Their parcels are typically older, head-trained vines located at high elevation near the Cantabrian Mountains. This high altitude ensures cool nights, providing the essential freshness and acidity crucial for quality Rioja.

🍇 Winemaking and Style

In the cellar, Azpillaga Urarte focuses on producing authentic Rioja Alavesa wines, emphasizing balance between fruit, minerality, and oak. They work primarily with the classic Rioja varieties:

• Tempranillo: The cornerstone of their red wines.

• Viura (Macabeo): For their white wines.

Their wines are characterized by:

• Elegance and Freshness: A hallmark of the high-altitude Rioja Alavesa style, contrasting with the heavier styles found further south.

• Balance: Traditional aging in barrel is used judiciously to enhance structure rather than dominate the fruit.

• Terroir Focus: Their wines are direct, unpretentious expressions of the calcareous, clay-rich soils of Lanciego.

📍 Geographic Focus

Azpillaga Urarte is firmly rooted in the historic winemaking tradition of the Basque part of Rioja.

• Region: Rioja DOCa, Spain

• Subregion: Rioja Alavesa (Basque Country)

• Village: Lanciego (Lantziego)