Living Wines from Ancient Vines

Viñedos Hontza is a family project born in 2015 out of a deep desire to close the circle between the vineyard and the glass, with wines that fully express the richness of the terroir from which they come.

Our work begins in the vineyard, where we are guided by Biodynamic principles to take meticulous care of the earth and vines from which our wines grow. When it comes time to harvest, we select the grapes in the field, working together as a family, handling and transporting the grapes in small batches so as to preserve the unique subtleties in flavour at every step in the process. We craft our wines according to the same basic principal, which can be summed up quite simply: minimal interference. We see ourselves as stewards of a natural process, guides who help the wine to express itself, intervening only when necessary. 

Our Principles

Honesty. 

Our work is founded on honesty. Honesty with ourselves, our family, our employees and collaborators, and of course our customers.  

Biodynamic agriculture. 

We continue learning from the profundity of Biodynamic principles on a daily basis. The formulation and application of preparations is an integral part of our relationship with the land from which our wines grow. 

Natural Wines. 

Our respect for natural processes extends into the winemaking itself: we experiment and innovate constantly, refining techniques that allow us to create utterly unique wines with as little intervention as possible.

Quality.

We guarantee wine of the highest quality, fomenting robust health and a uniquely rich sensory experience.

"We make wine naturally."

We never add any chemical product at any stage of the winemaking process. The ferment is produced naturally, with the wild yeasts present in our vineyards. No acidifiers, no clarifiers, no stabilizers, and no sulfites are ever added. More than that, our wine is not filtered, guaranteeing you an authentic experience of the grapes’ true nature.

Our Commitment

We produce wine on an artisanal scale. Our philosophy is rooted deeply in our respect for the land, and our business model reflects that fact. We are committed to maintaining a sustainable enterprise that not only grows from but gives back to the ecological and cultural richness of our surroundings. In the face of the ever-present threat of intensive farming practices, we stand firmly in our commitment to our land, living and working so as to help it express its delicate and nuanced terroir.

Location

HONTZA - is a family-run artisanal winery, the first and only winemakers in Labraza, a medieval village in the eastern corner of Rioja Alavesa (Basque Country). Nestled at 650 metres above sea level, we are the heirs to a unique microclimate and uncommon biodiversity that combine to create wines unlike any other.