We are a vineyard
On the north-facing slopes of the Yerga mountain range, one of the most iconic and highest-altitude areas of Rioja, the Arizcuren family has been cultivating vineyards for over a century. This legacy, spanning at least five generations of winegrowers, is today the soul of Arizcuren, a project that combines tradition and innovation in every bottle.
We work in a certified organic manner—and use some biodynamic practices—with our own Mazuelo, Viura, and Garnacha vineyards, while recovering lost varieties such as Calagraño, Tinta Velasco, and Miguel de Arco—which can still be found in vineyards planted by our ancestors—showcasing their unique potential and thereby enriching the diversity of Rioja.
With just 25,000 bottles produced annually, our wines are available in more than 20 countries and dozens of Michelin-starred restaurants, and have earned recognition from critics such as Tim Atkin MW, James Suckling, and Sarah Jane Evans MW, who has described Arizcuren as “one of the innovators of Rioja.”
« We work in a certified organic manner—and use some biodynamic practices—with our own vineyards of Mazuelo, Viura, and Garnacha. »
Past, Present, and Future
“Ironically, the most innovative thing is to return to our roots. We seek a natural balance in the vineyard, allowing the terroir to express itself authentically in our wines.”
—Javier Arizcuren
We work with respect for our present, for nature, and for our landscape, understanding our vineyards as a small part of a system in which they must be harmoniously integrated, caring for them with regenerative viticulture techniques.
We also work with respect for our future, building a wine heritage with its own recognizable identity that fits into the diversity of Rioja, with the aim of continuing to grow in national and international recognition.
The Sierra de Yerga
Our Bodegas-Cueva neighborhood, at an altitude of 500 meters and documented since at least the 16th century, and Monte Gatún, which at 1,151 meters is the highest point in the Sierra de Yerga, are connected by a north-facing slope where vineyards have been present for centuries.
The soils are of Quaternary origin, formed by carbonate-based alluvial deposits of diverse lithological origin (volcanic material, quartz, and sandstone), with the presence of carbonate and clay-ferrous colluvium, as well as fractions of silt and sand. These soils are generally well-structured and well-drained, with a white horizon appearing at varying depths, denoting their petrocalcic character. The continuity and degree of cementation of this horizon determine the effective root depth, water availability and, consequently, vineyard management, which is more favorable when the limestone layer is fractured or poorly cemented, as is the case in the soils of this unique area.
The climate is Mediterranean-continental, influenced by the cierzo, an Atlantic wind that frequently blows through the Ebro Valley. Summer days are sunny but with moderate temperatures due to the altitude and northern orientation of the vineyards.
This combination of climate and soil is unbeatable for long-cycle varieties such as Mazuelo and Garnacha which, as in other parts of the world, develop a fine, vertical profile with precise fruit, floral notes, and a mineral background, far removed from overripe profiles.