| Region of production: | Rioja Alavesa |
| Winery Location: | Laguardia |
| Year Established: | 1985 |
Vineyard Holdings
280 ha
Top Wines Produced & Inaugural Vintages
- Artadi La Poza de Ballesteros: 100% Tempranillo from the La Poza Vineyard. Soils are clay-limestone and limestone. The wine has flavors of very ripe fruit and dense tannins.
- Artadi Valdeginés: 100% Tempranillo from the Valdeginés Vineyard. Soils are lightly compacted clay-limestone with some soft sandstone.
- Artadi El Carretil: 100% Tempranillo from El Carretil Vineyard. Soils are clay-limestone over sandstone rock. The wine has flavors of vibrant fruit and fine tannins.
- Artadi Pagos Viejos: 100% Tempranillo from old vines from a variety of the estate’s noteworthy vineyards.
- Artadi Grandes Añadas: 100% Tempranillo from select parcels of the Pago Viejo Vineyards. The wine is aged in new French barrique. Only produced in exceptional vintages. Inaugural vintage 1994.
Average Total Production
- N/A
Summary
Juan Carlos López de Lacalle founded the Artadi winery in 1985. He grew up working harvests with his grandfather in Rioja and was inspired to carry on the traditions of organic and sustainable viticulture. Bodegas y Viñedos Artadi now encompasses three projects: the original winery in Laguardia, one in Artazu, Navarra, and a third in Pinoso, Alicante (El Sequé). All three focus on producing monovarietal wines from high elevation vineyards with distinct soils.
In 2015, Artadi left the Rioja DOCa, not because the Consejo Regulador was too restrictive but rather because they feel the label of “Rioja” no longer has value. They wish to focus on the precise origin of their wines—Rioja Alavesa. Despite this move, they do not intend to change anything about their production.
Style & Vinification Techniques
The Artadi vineyards, situated at elevations averaging 1,700 feet, are all dry-farmed. The vines average more than 35 years of age. Harvest is done manually and the grapes are hand-sorted prior to fermentation. Bottling takes place by gravity and the wines are unfiltered.
Producer Website: Artadi