Artadi is somewhat of a newcomer in terms of Rioja – established in 1985 – but quickly rose to the highest level of quality in Rioja. Artadi has been hugely successful with vineyards in Navarra (Artazu) and Alicante (El Segue) and is also among the best of those appellations. The range includes excellent village wines and several single vineyard wines, all exemplary quality. The top wine is Vina El Pison, from a 2.4-hectare single vineyard of very old vines near Laguardia. Since 2015, Artadi chose no longer to use the DOCa of Rioja, rather labelling the wines “Laguardia”. Regardless of classification, this is a powerful but extremely elegant representation of wines from Rioja, of which it is at least geographically part. La Hoya is made from a 3.6-hectare single vineyard plot, in Elvillar de Alava, planted to Tempranillo. Vines are grown in deep clay loam soils at 600 meters of altitude and are farmed with organic methods. The wine is 100% Tempranillo fruit for La Hoya. This wine is suitable for both men and women.
