Artuke
Rioja, Spain
Artuke, a winery in Rioja, is renowned for its unique approach to winemaking, diverging from the region's traditional blending and aging methods. The brothers Arturo and Kike, whose combined names form "Artuke," have honed their craft to capture the essence of individual vineyards and villages.
Their wines are known for their exceptional purity and focus, a testament to their distinct mastery. The de Miguel family's winemaking journey began with their grandfather's planting of Tempranillo and Graciano on a hillside they fondly call Finca de los Locos. From selling bulk wine, their father Roberto transitioned to bottling his own creations in 1991, distributing them door-to-door.
Arturo, with his Masters in Enology, joined the family business in 2003, followed by Kike in 2010. Their ambition is to elevate the winery's terroir-driven philosophy. They conducted soil studies across 32 plots in Baños de Ebros, Abalos, and San Vicente, adopting organic and sustainable farming methods. Rejecting the Rioja classification's barrel aging requirements, they often use neutral oak to allow each plot's unique characteristics to shine through.
The de Miguel brothers produce three single-vineyard wines from ancient vines and village wines that blend grapes from select plots. They seek out old vines that can be rejuvenated. Despite being situated near the same villages, Artuke's 32 sites exhibit distinct climatic and soil variations. Arturo and Kike dedicate themselves to translating these nuances into their wines, ensuring each glass reflects the terroir's true character.
Their wines are known for their exceptional purity and focus, a testament to their distinct mastery. The de Miguel family's winemaking journey began with their grandfather's planting of Tempranillo and Graciano on a hillside they fondly call Finca de los Locos. From selling bulk wine, their father Roberto transitioned to bottling his own creations in 1991, distributing them door-to-door.
Arturo, with his Masters in Enology, joined the family business in 2003, followed by Kike in 2010. Their ambition is to elevate the winery's terroir-driven philosophy. They conducted soil studies across 32 plots in Baños de Ebros, Abalos, and San Vicente, adopting organic and sustainable farming methods. Rejecting the Rioja classification's barrel aging requirements, they often use neutral oak to allow each plot's unique characteristics to shine through.
The de Miguel brothers produce three single-vineyard wines from ancient vines and village wines that blend grapes from select plots. They seek out old vines that can be rejuvenated. Despite being situated near the same villages, Artuke's 32 sites exhibit distinct climatic and soil variations. Arturo and Kike dedicate themselves to translating these nuances into their wines, ensuring each glass reflects the terroir's true character.
