The
ARTISANS
ABOUT US
THE LEGEND OF HONTZA…
THE OWL
In the Pinar de Dueñas, where pines and holm oaks live in peaceful harmony with wild boars, deer, lavender, and juniper, a pair of royal owls made their home. Few have been fortunate enough to see them gliding silently over the forest. Only at dusk, when the moon bathes the vegetation in silver and both wanderers and farmers have returned home, leaving the forest in deep, tranquil silence, do these majestic birds unfurl their enormous wings and soar above the vineyards in search of food.
They are the guardians of this land and all the creatures that dwell within it. Every being in the forest gives thanks for their watchful presence. It is said that because of them, the vineyard of the Labraza pine forest extends its flowering over several weeks, leaving a fragrance that lingers in memory and touches the soul of anyone fortunate enough to walk among the vines.
Here, nature, life, and the unseen guardians converge — a subtle magic that whispers in every leaf, in every blossom, and in every bottle of wine born from this enchanted place.
OUR ROOTS
HOW IT AL STARTED
HONTZA was born from a desire to live in harmony with nature, to care for the land and all its inhabitants, and to honor the rhythms and cycles that sustain life. Every day, we learn from the earth, allowing its wisdom to guide our hands and hearts, helping us grow while contributing to a better world.
It all began in 2015 in Labraza, Álava (Basque Country), where our father was born. Our mission: to reconnect with the work of our ancestors, giving it new life and closing the natural cycles. From the soil to the glass, we cultivate our own vineyards, nurturing each vine according to the principles of biodynamic agriculture, learning constantly, and crafting wines that respect both the land and the people who enjoy them.
Each bottle of HONTZA is a reflection of this philosophy — a biodynamic wine that carries the soul of the land, the patience of its caretakers, and the harmony of a vineyard tended with care and devotion.
IKER:
I am the grandson of shepherds and the son of a farmer, raised in close communion with the land — feeling its seasons, learning from its rhythms, and understanding the lessons it quietly offers. After studying Environmental Sciences, I returned to Labraza, aware of the treasure beneath our feet, with a single purpose: to care for the old vineyards and take a step further — crafting the first wine of Labraza, celebrating its unique terroir and reviving a tradition rooted in the life of the village.
Every day, we work with the vineyards according to the principles of organic agriculture, and we continue to explore the depth of biodynamic farming. Preparing and applying biodynamic treatments, tending both vines and cellar with care and respect, we follow nature’s rhythms, letting the land guide each decision.
Each bottle we produce carries this connection — a reflection of childhood among the fields, of ancestral knowledge, and of a vineyard nurtured with patience, devotion, and the wisdom of the earth itself.
JAVI:
My fondest childhood memories are woven into the fields and people of Labraza — long summer afternoons wandering freely, discovering the secrets that nature quietly offered, and feeling the pulse of the land beneath my feet. These moments planted a deep curiosity in me, a desire to understand how the world works and how everything is connected.
As I grew, my restless spirit took me to study electricity and automation, and to explore distant corners of the globe. Yet my heart always remained here. Returning to Spain, I found my brother had just launched Hontza Vineyards — a project rooted in our homeland and guided by values that resonate deeply with me: respect for the earth, gratitude, and unwavering commitment.
Joining this journey allows me to blend knowledge, curiosity, and devotion, crafting a connection between the land, its people, and the wines that tell their story.