Est 1985
Rooted in traditions and focused in the vineyards
In 1985, Juan Carlos Lopez de Lacalle, a native of Lagaurdia lade the foundation for what is know today as Bodegas y Vinedos Artadi. Juan Carlos and a group of 11 local vine growers joined forces to produce and market wine that would express the real character of the area. These traditional carbonic maceration made wines know as Vine Traditional de Cosechero, were made in the time-honored manner of fermenting uncrushed whole bunches in open vats called “lagos”.
“Our grandparent’s experiences became wisdom and a pattern of life. We keep alive the viticultural traditions of our ancestors, fighting against the destructive advances that chemistry has introduced into industrialized and disrespectful agricultural management. We aim to preserve the production and the enjoyment of a "living" wine, with feelings and spirituality, integrating nature and the vineyard in our own lives.” A history linked to the remembrance and know-how of our ancestors, non industrial, based in the passion and respect for the vineyard.
It was with this statement that the Lacalle and Laorden family took control of the project in 1992. The obsession for vine growing and the cult to the vineyard led them to discover characteristics that define the personality of unique wines: wines which are a reflection of their origin.
Located in the heart of Álava, Artadi owns 75 hectares of vineyards planted in soils with a wide geological diversity. Clay, gravel and limestone primarily compose this particular balance of nutrient-poor soils with varying microclimates. These unique vineyard sites give singularity to the wines, whose most notable qualities are transparency of fruit and finesse of tannins.
By the middle of 2000’s, Lacalle had several stellar vintage under his belt to see the characters of his different sites clearly. Juan Carlos continued to seek out and discover outstanding vineyard pots capable of producing unique wine - Vinos de Parcela.
Today, the family produces twelve single vineyard plots, six are imported into the US Market. In each little corner the unique natural environments of the single plots display their own biotopes that have exceptional eco-systems. From these vineyards they produce wines of individual character, and in working them with sustainable agricultural methods, they continue to preserve the landscape.
“It is an indescribable feeling to discover the secrets hidden in each vineyard and ultimately to reap the fruits of all the quiet patient work invested. Man is thus united with his environment and together they produce unique, unforgettable wines. In our Vinos de Parcela we seek to share this legacy and explore the real nature of our region.”
Vinos de Pueblo
Artadi | Vinas de Gain Red
Terroir: The grapes for this wine are sourced from vines around the villages of Laguardia, Elvillar de Álava and Lanciego, and more specifically in the localities of Castejones, Verdecillo, Las Lombas, Santa Águeda, La Hoya, Castillejo, Pajarejo, Valdegamarra, Las Ventas, La Ceposilla, Villalba, Valmayor, Carracuesta, El Cerradillo, Los Mazuelos and Majadales.
Harvest: manual, with sorting of berries and bunches
Variety: 100% Tempranillo
Vinification in stainless-steel open top vats with cold maceration for 24-48 hours. Fermentation has taken 10-12 days with often cap management and a brief pumping over
Aging: Malolactic fermentation in Barrel. 12 months 1/3 new French oak
2017 Artadi | Vinas de Gain Red - Tech Sheet
2017 rober parker 92 points | 16 vintages 90+ Shelf Talker|
2017 JS Shelf Talker 94 Points
Artadi | Vinas de Gain White
Surface Area 75 Hectars
Terroir: Planted here and their among our old parcels, we can find vines of the Viura grape, the traditional white grape variety of the Alavesa region. After the Viura’s fermentation in barrel and a subsequent ageing in vat on its lees, its special character and ageing potential is revealed in this genuine long-ageing white wine. The wines display an elegant texture and good length of flavour on the palate. Their development in bottle over time brings out their complexity and a distinct mineral character. They are fresh on the palate with an enveloping tactile sensation and a lingering finish.
Harvest: manual, with sorting of berries and bunches
Variety: 100% Viura
Vinification: Oak Fermented for about 2 weeks
Aging: Stainless-steel vats for 2 years and 1 year bottle
2016 Artadi | Vinas de Gain White - Tech Sheet
2015 Artadi | Vinas de Gain White - Tech Sheet
2016 JS Shelf Talker 93 Points
Vinos de Parcela
El Carretil
Artadi | La Poza de Ballesteros
Surface area: 1.18 Ha. (2.91 acres)
Vines planted in 1960
Terroir: Single vineyard site in Elvillar at 600 meters. Poor and light-brown colored, pigmented by lime formations. Homogeneous structure and silty-clay composition. Very compact soil with a depth of 80 to 100 cm with very small roots. These special soil characteristics combined with the plot’s west-facing exposure produce wines that are ripe and broad with volume on the palate and ripe fruit notes coming to the fore. Plenty of round, dense tannins reflecting a vineyard of individual character.
Harvest: manual, with sorting of berries and bunches
Variety: 100% Tempranillo
Vinification: Wooden open-top vats with cold maceration for 24-48 hours and fermentation during 10-12 twelve days with two daily pigeages and/or pumpovers
Aging: Malolactic fermentation in Barrel. 12 months 1/3 new French oak
La Poza de Ballesteros - Tech Sheet| 2019 | 2016
2019 wine advocate 93 | 2016 JS Shelf Talker 99 Points
San Lazaro
Artadi | Valdeginés
Surface area: 4.10 Ha. (10.12 acres)
Vines planted in 1989 and 1992
Terroir: Single vineyard in village of Laguardia at 600 meters. Loose-textured clay-limestone. In this plot, a distinction can be made between the slope area, where the vines are planted in shallow soils over soft sandstone rock, and the terraces, where the soils are deeper and cooler. This vineyard is a cold, high-altitude terroir with no afternoon sun. These wines are cheerful, fresh-tasting and easy-going. They reveal red berry fruit flavours and aromatic precision. Their definition and delicate structure give them elegance and finesse. This tasting profile is enhanced by the plot’s east-facing exposure which conveys Atlantic notes of freshness and subtle tannins.
Harvest: manual, with sorting of berries and bunches
Variety: 100% Tempranillo
Vinification: Wooden open-top vats with cold maceration for 24-48 hours and fermentation during 10-12 twelve days with two daily pigeages and/or pumpovers
Aging: Malolactic fermentation in Barrel. 12 months 1/3 new French oak
Valdeginés Tech Sheet| 2019 | 2016
2019 wine advocate 94| 2016 JS Shelf Talker 97 Points
El Pison
Artadi | El Carretil
Surface area: 3.64 Ha. (9 acres)
Vines planted in 1930, 1975 and 1988
Terroir: Clay-limestone over sandstone rock. High in calcium carbonate which yealds strict tannin, acidity and mineralogy. At 500 meters of altitude combined with poor soils the wines of El Carretil are deep, sinewy and statuesque. They are ripe with a distinct minerality with fine tannins and an enveloping mouth feel.
Harvest: manual with sorting of bunches and berries
Variety: 100% Tempranillo
Vinification: Wooden open-top vats with cold maceration for 24-48 hours and fermentation during 10-12 twelve days with two daily punchdowns and/or pumpovers
Aging: Malolactic fermentation in Barrel. 12 months 1/3 new French oak
El Carretil Tech Sheet | 2019 | 2016
2019 wine advocate 96| 2016 JS Shelf Talker 99 Points
La Poza de Ballesteros
Artadi | San Lazaro
Surface area: 1.62 Ha. (4 acres)
Vines planted in 1956
Soil type: Clay-limestone with a clay-sand texture. This poor soil is made up of a superposition of strata formed in the Quaternary era composed of fine sands over a limestone soil dating back to the Tertiary era. We thus have the benefit of a very well-oxygenated terrain with great biological diversity and excellent potential for wine-growing. Its location, sheltered from the south-east winds, provides this plot with natural protection that in turn creates a unique micro-climate. Expressive aromatics, fresh and very clean. Slender with verticality on the palate, giving the wine its finesse and style. Powerful polished well-integrated tannins.
Harvest: manual, with sorting of berries and bunches
Variety: 100% Tempranillo
Vinification: Wooden open-top vats with cold maceration for 24-48 hours and fermentation during 10-12 twelve days with two daily pigeages and/or pumpovers
Aging: Malolactic fermentation in Barrel. 12 months 1/3 new French oak
San Lazaro tech Sheet | 2019 | 2016
2019 wine advocate 97 | 2016 JS Shelf Talker 97 Points
Valdeginés
Vina El Pison
Surface area: 2.42 Ha. (6 acres)
Vines planted in 1945
Terroir: Placed in Laguardia at 480 meters of altitude, laid on deep clay-limestone soil. Located at one of the uppermost elevations in Spain, with lengthy sun exposure and protected by natural rock walls, Viña El Pisón is a true clos that lies in nutrient-poor soils made up of calcaric clay mixed with small pebbles. Viña El Pisón is nestled at the foothills of the Sierra Cantabria mountain range, not far from the medieval village of Laguardia in Rioja Alavesa. From its first vintage in 1991, this legendary vineyard has produced some of the highest-scoring wines in the world.
Harvest: manual, with sorting of berries and bunches
Variety: 100% Tempranillo
Vinification: Wooden open-top vats with cold maceration for 24-48 hours and fermentation during 10-12 twelve days with two daily pigeages and/or pumpovers
Aging: Malolactic fermentation in Barrel. 12 months 1/3 new French oak