Izadi produce modern, perfumed, food friendly wines that are true to their roots and a natural expression of the area, unhindered by the sort of deviant flavours that are all too common in Rioja.
The hillside winery sits in the small village of Villabuena in the Rioja Alavesa, which is proudly the only Basque part of Rioja, as well as the highest part of the region, at 400-500m above sea level. It was founded in 1987 by Gonzalo Anton as a modern breakaway from the traditional style of wine produced by other members of his family.
Today, Izadi is owned and run by Gonzalo’s son Lalo Anton and his family. As well as the winery, the family also run the Michelin-starred restaurant, Zaldiaran, in nearby Vitoria.
All of the 187 hectares of vineyards are either owned or leased on long term contracts, so Izadi have full control over production. Due to the high altitude, there is a dramatic difference (up to 20°C) in temperature between night and day, which encourages the development of aromatics in the grapes. The distinctive white calcareous soils are mainly planted with old Tempranillo vines, traditionally bush trained for better exposure to the sun and ranging from 30-100 years old.
Izadi, meaning nature, are fanatical about quality and finding the best expression of terroir in all their wines. When they had the opportunity, therefore, to expand the business into other emblematic regions of Spain, they did so, forming the group of wineries which exists today, Grupo Artevino. Founded in 2003, Artevino now consists of four wineries: Izadi in Rioja, Orben, also in Rioja, Vetus in Toro and Finca Villacreces in Ribera del Duero. Angél Ortega manages the winemaking at each estate, producing top quality wines from some of the most exciting and prestigious regions in Spain.
There are many people that surround me day by day and inspire me in my work, but if I have to highlight someone, I would like to mention my grandfather, Jesús. He introduced me to the world of wine when I was a little child and also my father, Gonzalo who is with me every day. Lalo Anton