Bodegas y Viñedos Artadi | Álava

Originally founded in 1985 as a co-operative of 13 growers, Bodegas y Viñedos Artadi, is located in Laguardia at the heart of the Rioja Alavesa. Collectively, the estate held 80 hectares of prime vineyard sites planted around the town, each with their own unique geological diversity. Recognising the potential of these wonderful vineyards winemaker Juan Carlos López de Lacalle purchased the entire business and estate in 1992 and immediately introduced a new philosophy and style of winemaking. 

The vines on the estate are planted on nutrient poor soils, which encourage low yields, and see no chemical intervention. The winemaking is modern with an emphasis upon fruit driven wines characterised by the terroir of the single vineyard sites. French oak is used, not American, allowing the natural expression of the Tempranillo grape to shine through. At the winery gravity is used wherever possible to feed the vats, native yeasts used for the alcoholic fermentation and there is minimal use of sulphur. In short, sustainability is central to the philosophy behind these outstanding wines.

In 2015, having risen to the very top of the Rioja rankings, Juan Carlos López de Lacalle withdrew Artadi from the Consejo Regulador of the D.O.Ca Rioja. The following statement was released by Artadi explaining their rationale:

"Bodegas y Viñedos ARTADI was created in 1985 by an alliance of winegrowers thrilled with the idea of designing a new project based on the unique wine-growing values located within a specific region: Rioja Alavesa. 

This project has grown and evolved over the last 30 years, and now thanks to a desire to discover the great potential held within this land, Bodegas y Viñedos ARTADI has become a reference point within the Spanish and international grape growing and winemaking communities. 

Since the beginning, our conviction has always been that the value of great wines is closely linked to the soil, the vineyards and the people.

Renowned winemaking regions such as Bordeaux, Burgundy and Champagne offer the consumer wines that are a reflection of their origin, giving one a true sense of place. These regions have given value to the differences found in their wines, as something enriching, full of message and content.  In Bodegas y Viñedos ARTADI, we believe it is essential to offer our consumers the opportunity to discover the diversity of our land, which gives our wines a unique value, a distinguishing character and authenticity.

 In line with all that we have mentioned above, and in order to fully respect and transmit our unique origin, we have taken the decision to leave the Consejo Regulador of the D.O.Ca Rioja.

It has been a long and pondered decision, but based on the sole intention of producing wines with a clear message from our land, our vineyards and our landscapes.

Bodegas y Viñedos ARTADI has departed from this control board, but it does not neglect its origin: Rioja Alavesa. We humbly believe we will be more constructive from the outside, in order to better generate true sensibility for the great values found in our region.

With respect for all the vine growers and winemakers of this region, we face this new chapter with optimism and excitement. We feel we must keep alive the historical and cultural legacy inherited from our ancestors. We cherish this responsibility and vow to preserve this legacy.  To hand over the baton to future generations of young vinegrowers, through a kind of viticulture that is able to generate eagerness and passion. This is our investment for the future."

BODEGAS Y VIÑEDOS ARTADI