Grapes: Hondarrabi Zuri, Hondarrabi Beltza
Region: Getaria, Spain
Farming: Sustainable
Half an hour driving west from San Sebastián sits the picturesque town of Getaria, the hometown of Juan Sebastián Elcano: a seaman known for being the first to navigate the whole of earth's surface. It is here at the top of the hill with water views, where four generations of the Lazkano family have produced and sold Txakoli. José Antonio used to make wine at home for family consumption and to sell locally, until they set up the Gaintza cellar in 1923. The Lazkano family owns 25 hectares of vineyards, bathed by the fresh Cantabrian sea air. They have a mix of older planting on high pergolas and newer terraced plantings. These days the 4th generation is in charge, brothers Joseba and Urtzi. Joseba and his mother handle the winemaking and the boutique hotel, while Urtzi manages the family’s 23 ha of sustainably farmed vineyards. Gaintza is respected for being fine wine pioneers in a region largely known for inexpensive, fizzy white wine.
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