History and wines of the Artuke brothers
Artuke is a small family winery founded by father Miguel Blanco in 1991 and, for the past decade, run together with his sons Arturo and Kike (“Artuke”). They cultivate 22 ha divided into 32 plots, some of which are considered top crus. They are also the pioneers of the “Rioja’n Roll” movement, born a few years ago – a group of young Rioja winemakers who share the same philosophy : crafting terroir-driven wines naturally, without fuss, with respect for their region, their landscape, and their native varieties – above all Tempranillo, but also other old grapes often co-planted in the vineyards. Originally from Rioja Alavesa (Baños de Ebro), they also own several beautiful plots with vieilles vignes in Samaniego, San Vicente de la Sonsierra and Ábalos in Rioja Alta. For us, they are the pioneers of the new generation in Rioja.
Family estate
The whole family has its roots in Rioja and in viticulture. In 1991, Miguel Blanco decided to stop selling his grapes and start producing wine under his own name. His sons grew up on the family estate, surrounded by vineyards and bottles. Arturo joined in 2003 and Kike in 2010. The first thing the new generation did was to study the different plots and terroirs owned by their father. All their vineyards were trained as gobelet (“bush vines”), offering better resistance to drought and extreme conditions. The new vineyards are planted the same way. They also introduced biodynamic practices and, with other young winemakers, helped launch the “Rioja’n Roll” movement. The 2016 vintage was the first they made fully according to terroir expression, dividing their wines into premier crus (Finca de los Locos, Paso Las Mañas) and grand crus (La Condenada, El Escolladero). They still produce their young Cosechero wine and a “village wine”, Pies Negros, from Ábalos. Today they stand among the most promising names in Rioja.
The villages
Artuke mainly works in Rioja Alavesa, an area with a slightly stronger Atlantic influence than Rioja Alta. Their best vineyards are located in Baños de Ebro, Samaniego and San Vicente de la Sonsierra. They also own fine plots in Ábalos, just across the border in Rioja Alta, below the Sierra Cantabria – the most Atlantic part of the Alta region.
Ábalos: eight plots used for Pies Negros and one for the Grand Cru El Escolladero. Clay-limestone soils at 530–600 m altitude.
Samaniego: for the 1er Cru Paso Las Mañas, clay-limestone soil, 15 % north-south slope, 680–700 m altitude.
Baños de Ebro: plots for their entry-level wines and two crus – Finca de los Locos, sandy and stony soils on a gentle north-south slope (520–530 m).
Grand Cru La Condenada: sandy soil with sandstone subsoil at 540 m altitude.
Tempranillo
Rioja means Tempranillo – and that’s Artuke’s main grape variety. They work with many old vines, often mixed with other varieties within the same plots. They don’t vinify them separately; instead, they believe in the expression of their terroir and natural field blends. Up to 20 % of other grapes may be present: Graciano (which is increasingly popular in Rioja), Garnacha and Cagazal, a local Rioja variant of Palomino. In vineyards planted after phylloxera (around 1920), Palomino was often used to fill gaps because of its vigorous growth and high yield. In blend with Tempranillo, these varieties add complexity and freshness.
Burgundian style
All plots are organically farmed, most following biodynamic principles. Artuke’s wines are often described as the most “Burgundian” in Rioja for their refined, elegant style – no “power Tempranillo” here. All grapes are hand-harvested in small crates and sorted by hand. They are destemmed and transferred by gravity into stainless-steel tanks. Fermentation takes place with native yeasts, followed by malolactic fermentation in large oak foudres. The wines are then aged for 13 to 16 months (depending on the cuvee) in large foudres (500 to 3500 litres). The two Grand Crus are aged in 600 litre foudres.