The story behind Bodegas y Viñedos Artazu is all about a rescue mission in the rugged hills of Navarra, northern Spain. In 1996, Juan Carlos López de Lacalle—the winemaker behind Artadi—took over an old, defunct village wine cooperative. Where others saw a closed business, Juan Carlos recognized the immense value in the ancient, gnarled bush vines growing on the surrounding hillsides. He committed completely to organic farming, spending the next two decades nurturing these historic plots back to health and proving that this corner of Spain could produce incredibly exciting, vibrant wines.
What makes these wines standout is the estate's high-altitude location. The vineyards sit high up in the hills where they catch chilly winds coming off the Atlantic Ocean. This breezy, cooler climate slows down the ripening process, allowing the grapes to develop a natural crispness and bright fruit flavours. The star grape here is Garnacha (along with a little bit of rare Garnacha Blanca), which grows in the stony soils around the historic, old towns of Artazu and San Martín de Unx.
For anyone who loves a red wine that is bright, juicy, and packed with flavour while remaining light on its feet, this collection is an absolute treat. These wines are bursting with crunchy red cherries, wild strawberries, and a touch of cracked black pepper. Because they have such a lovely, crisp profile, they leave your palate feeling completely refreshed. They are incredibly easygoing and versatile, making them the perfect match for a classic Sunday roast chicken, grilled pork chops from the butcher, or a casual night in with wood-fired pepperoni pizzas.