Arbanta

Arbanta is located in Bargota, a small town on the slopes of Mount Yoar, part of the foothills of the Sierra Cantabria, the mountain range which provides Rioja with a natural border to the North. The Bodega belongs to the Llorens family, who also own thirty hectares of vineyards in the adjacent towns of Labraza, Viana and Bargota. The majority of the vines are on chalky soils.

The most important characteristics that define the quality of grapes of Arbanta are: the location of the vineyard, inherited from generation to generation; limited production due to high altitude, well ventilated vineyards with relatively poor soils; and a high number of sunny days with great fluctuations of temperatures between day and night.

The family has a holistic, often painstaking approach to winemaking. Starting with the treatment of the soil, only organic animal and plant fertilizers are used. The intention is to obtain a well balanced soil that ensures vines grow strong and are naturally protected against disease. Preventative plant health controls with natural elements( sulphur, copper in small quantities, clay, marsh horsetail purines, sexual confusion techniques, etc.) are utilized.

The organic nature of the vineyard combined with very old vineyard sites produce wines of distinct quality.