To talk about Javier Arizcuren is to talk about a family project linked to the area of Quel, in La Rioja Baja. Trained as an architect, more than a decade ago he decided to take a radical turn in his day-to-day life and, thanks to his studies in viticulture and oenology, to focus on making his own wine. Two years later, in 2011, he took another step forward in the evolution of the wine sector and took over the management of the family business.

His is a project focused on quality, avoiding large volumes; a project to which only the plots with the greatest viticultural potential are assigned, those with hundred-year-old vines, worked organically and with a careful selection of grapes in the vineyard. “They give better quality, not because they are older, but because they produce less“, he explained a few years ago in an interview for a specialised media. “I was looking for wines like this, with a greater concentration of aromas that better represent the area“.

In total, just 19 hectares from which 12,500 bottles are produced each year and which seek to enhance the value of the area in which they are made. “Recovering the memory of La Rioja Baja and preserving the wine-growing heritage of our ancestors, bringing to the bottle the expression of a terroir: the Sierra de Yerga“, Javier himself explained at the time.

The project, in this context of attention to detail and tradition, also has strong roots in sustainability: it recently won the Sustainable Project in Rioja at the 2nd Diario de Vendimia Awards, due to its commitment to the circular economy and sustainable growth. Some of its practices, such as the feeding of a herd in the vineyards during the winter, stand out.

Arizcuren’s project is an example of the recovery of the winemaking tradition in La Rioja and the preservation of the region’s peculiarities. The urban winery, founded in 2016, is a space open to those interested in learning about the way wine is made and its history.

Wine tourism, the other side of Bodegas Arizcuren

Not only do the wineries focus on winemaking, but they are also aware of the importance of active tourism, and also give special relevance to the events around it. As a result of this interest, in 2023 they will be exhibiting at FINE #WineTourismExpo, where on 1 and 2 March we will be able to find out more about what they have to offer.

Broadly speaking, there are two experiences on which the project is focused. On the one hand, Urban Cellar, a guided visit to the urban winery in Logroño that includes a tasting of four wines with regional snacks and organic olive oil.

On the other hand, you can also visit the Yerga Vineyards, in the Eastern Rioja. This experience is intended to be a complete review of the day-to-day life of a winery, and lasts around five hours and includes wine tasting and an informal lunch.

The third option, “Experience with Javier Arizcuren“, includes the founder of the winery himself, with whom you can tour the vineyards and taste personalised wines.