Artadi

The Future of La Rioja in Laguardia

In the medieval village of Laguardia, the future of La Rioja has developed in the cellars of Artadi. This masterpiece is due to the brilliant and creative work of Juan Carlos López, who today is assisted by the rest of his family.

When Juan Carlos converted the cooperative into an independent bodega in 1992, he had already been in charge of it for seven years. His vision was revolutionary and drastically changed the wine world in Rioja. Within a short time he was producing some of Spain's finest wines, which immediately gained worldwide recognition. Innovations such as short pruning in the vineyards for smaller yields and the use of French oak barrels were just some of his innovative ideas. More important was the early bottling of his wines, unlike traditional Rioja wines that were sometimes kept for up to ten years on large wooden foudres. In doing so, he deliberately took a step away from the Crianza, Reserva and Gran Reserva classifications..

"The true value of great wines is closely linked to the land and its people"

La Rioja's leading wine producer

Artadi has been Rioja's leading wine producer for more than 25 years. Their constant quest for perfection has earned them the ultimate 100/100 scores several times with international wine critics. Leaving nothing to chance, the Lacalle family works with world-renowned agronomists Claude and Lydia Bourguignon to maximize the unique terroir of Rioja. Their Burgundian approach, in which each biodynamically grown plot is vinified separately and only the Tempranillo grape is grown, puts even more emphasis on quality.

All the wines in their range are made exclusively from the Tempranillo grape, which originated in Rioja and produces the best quality here.

For Pagos Viejos, only the best grapes from old vineyards are selected, sourced from the best terroirs throughout Rioja. It is no wonder that this wine is a true explosion of fruit, structure and elegant tannins. The perfect balance owes this wine to the fourteen months of oak barrel aging. Only in the very best years is a superior Grandes Añadas made from this selection.

"Artadi is synonymous with characterful wine as it should be: emotion, pleasure, in short unforgettable experience"

A legacy of passion and respect

Artadi was founded in 1985 by a group of enthusiastic winemakers and villagers, driven by passion and respect for the local winemaking tradition. In 1992, the Lacalle and Laorden families took over the helm. Their obsession with discovering and bringing out the personality of each plot of land earned them the title of "best wine producer in Spain" in 2015, just 23 years after its founding. It is here, in the heart of Rioja, where the experience of previous generations guides today. Respect for nature is key, and chemicals are avoided at all costs.

Finesse and elegance are key words emphasized every vintage. Artadi remains the indisputable reference of a modern Rioja. Artadi is synonymous with wine of character as it should be: emotion, pleasure and an unforgettable experience.

Vina El Pison, the ultimate Single Vinyard Tempranillo

Viña el Pison comes from a unique 2.4-hectare patch of land, where the subsoil and location of the vineyard to the sun are exceptionally favorable. With an average age of 80 years, the vines give nothing but the very best, but unfortunately also extremely limited, making this wine all the more unique.

There is something mysterious about Vina El Pison: it is subtle and elegant, a bit austere and reserved at first. The mouthfeel is seamless, silky smooth with very refined tannins, stunning balance and a very long and precise finish. Absolute world class and a must in the wine cellar of true enthusiasts.