2021 El Pisón

Artadi is a fascinating case study. They started production as harvesters in 1985, becoming part of a project by the Lacalle and Laorden families in 1992. The objective was to boost the region's wines by applying new techniques to old vineyards, coupled with a respect for nature and the identity of each vine. This philosophy saw them abandon the Rioja DOC in 2015 and start, as the Spanish say, “producing freely.” Unshackled from the DOC restrictions, they began careful classification work that today reflects eight vineyards, all bottled in a pure, polished, primary style. El Pisón, their most famous wine, is a thesis on the origins of a wine made with grapes from old vines in a vegetable patch. The winery, located outside of Laguardia, has a modern Nordic style.