We are rooted in Getaria long before the Txakoli de Getaria D.O. existed. Our terroir is located in its genuine coastal hills shaped by an untamed sea, on the slopes of Monte Gárate (278 meters) overlooking the sea.
A privileged place, cradle of the primitive culture of txakoli. Where microclimate, soil and our ancient vines combine to give a strong personality to our wines.
Family
Katalin Iturzaeta was our great-grandmother and this txakoli pays tribute to her. With courage and enterprising character she cultivated her vines and inspired the local wine resurgence.
Her grandson (our “aita”) Antonio Aranzabal, admired her. He took his example and in times when vineyards were dying out because the vast majority prioritized other more profitable crops, he preserved them.
And he introduced innovations and pioneering processes for winemaking, which were decisive in the final result.
Today, the 4th generation, we continue with this commitment to offer a unique txakoli. Just as they conceived it.
D.O. Getariako txakolina
Txakoli Denominación de Origen Getariako Txakolina owes a notable part of its uniqueness to the native grape variety used in its production: Hondarrabi. Part of the rigorous control process is the supervision of production, analysis and sensory analysis by the Tasting Committee.
The bottles must be labeled with the seal of the Control Board and with numbered back labels or seals.
Wisdom
Through a particular elaboration, we turn our txakoli into an unusual form of “blanc de noirs” at the heart of the D.O.
Unique factors
The Atlantic climate, the orientation and relief of the vineyards, the clayey soil and the adaptation of the varieties create the ideal ecosystem for the cultivation of txakoli in Getaria. The heart of the D.O..
Walking through the vineyards is pleasant. It is a privilege to contemplate them in vineyards, with the clusters suspended or on trellises, on the sides of the aisles, perceiving the passing of the seasons: yellow in autumn, bare vines in winter, grape shoots in spring, ripe in summer, almost ready for the autumn harvest.
The Weather
Ours is a mild Atlantic climate zone, with high rainfall. Annual average rainfall is 1,600 mm and temperatures range from a minimum of 2ºC in winter to a maximum of 35ºC in summer. The vineyards are protected from sea winds and remain conveniently exposed to the sun. All these factors influence the acidity and aromatic intensity of our txakoli.
Temperature
Mild Atlantic climate and temperate in summer due to the sea for slow ripening
Seasons
Summers and winters with humidity rates
Rainfall
1,600 mm annual average
Exposure
Average annual sunshine: 1800 hours. Moderate sea breeze and salinity
The Soil
Our soils are clay soils covered with sandstone. The vines, which do not reach an altitude of 100m due to their proximity to the sea, are cultivated on an undulating slope by wire (in the past, whale bones were used as a support) at a height that allows them to “float” above the ground and prevent the excess humidity typical of the Atlantic climate from spoiling the fruit.
Substrate
Slightly acid and clay loam texture
Nutrients
Rich in organic matter
Drainage
Optimum drainage
Isolation
Substrate humidity does not affect the vine
Centennial vines
Our small terroir is mainly composed of old vineyards from the 19th century with small pruning wounds that denote the passage of time. These scars prevent the sap from circulating, resulting in a smaller size and number of clusters.
On the other hand, the centenary vineyards give us grapes of higher quality, enhancing the virtue and personality of our wine. Thus, our production is limited but highly prized.
Native varieties
Our vineyards overlooking the sea, are planted on high vines in trellis rows. We cultivate the native varieties of Hondarrabi Zuri (white) and Hondarrabi Beltza (red) vinified as white.
At the beginning of autumn we harvest the grapes by hand. And applying the transmitted knowledge, we look for the optimal balance of sugars and acidity. Thus, we achieve a low alcohol content and a very characteristic mild acidity.
Team
We are a family and we are a team. As small txakoli producers, we have collaborators who help us in the production process. And together with the winemaker Fabiola Soto, we look for the characteristic nuances of our proposal.
Jokin Aranzabal Harreguy
CEO
Maite Aranzabal Harreguy
Distribution
Fabiola Soto
Enologist
Elaboration
Now that we have introduced you to our small terroir and family, we would like to share with you the meticulous winemaking process with which, for 100 years, we have been extracting all the character of this millenary land.