top of page
Sierra Cantabria Mtn Range over Salas.jpeg
Aiurri

Leza - D.O.Ca. Rioja

Leza, a small village in Rioja Alavesa, captured the attention of Alma Carraovejas after spending years exploring and studying the surrounding area. In 2020, Aiurri, meaning "character" in Basque, was discovered and acquired by Alma Carraovejas from the Laredo family. They saw it as a project that perfectly aligned with their dedication to unique ventures, aiming to enhance some of the most important vineyards in Rioja Alavesa by restoring and revitalizing the authentic old vineyards of Leza.

 

Aiurri's background is made up of a rich heritage, a magical place where wine and culture reach every corner. Their 60 small vineyard plots, each with a different clonal variety, span 67 acres in total. Aiurri grows only Tempranillo bush vines aged 50-100 years at the foothills of the Sierra del Toloño mountain range, also known as the Sierra de Cantabria, in Northern Spain’s Basque Country. The percentage of old vines used in their cuvée is higher than in any other wine blend produced in the Rioja region.

 

The Alma Carraovejas family seeks to capture the essence of the unique vineyards that make up one of the country's most important wine-growing areas.

Aivrri Map.jpg

Altitude 1804 Feet

The Aiurri vineyards are planted on terraces and steep slopes with diverse orientations, soils, altitudes, and microclimates, each individually cared for to bring out the best in every vineyard and its environment. The vineyards coexist with olive trees, holm oaks, and aromatic plants like lavender and rosemary. Ecological and sustainable viticulture practices are used, including meticulous pruning and biological controls to promote vine longevity and ecosystem balance.

​

Vines grow from soils with a wide variety of characteristics and properties, including silty loam soils with high limestone content and organic matter. The Atlantic climate in Rioja Alavesa brings more humidity and cooler temperatures than other Rioja regions. The Toloño mountain range creates diverse microclimates, with cold northern air regulating temperature and reducing fungal growth. Day-night thermal inversion aids in grape ripening, enhancing complexity and freshness.

Featured Wine

Imported-01_edited.png
Landua 2021.jpg

Landua 2021

Landua translates to “craft” in Basque. This wine is the result of the expression of small plots of old vineyards that sprout under the shelter of the Sierra de Cantabria between the municipalities of Sonsierra and Laguardia. The mountainous relief of the environment contributes to the creation of a unique microclimate in which Atlantic and Mediterranean influences combine. â€‹The search for the essence of each plot and each municipality ends up forming part of an assemblage wine after aging. Floral aromas that persist over time.

92 Points - Tim Atkin

92 Points - James Suckling

AIURRI 2021.jpg

Aiurri 2021

Aiurri is the character of the Rioja Alavesa. Small plots of old vineyards that are born in the shelter of the Toloño mountain range. Its orography is a climatic crossroads where continental and Atlantic conditions intermingle. The vineyards are mainly Tempranillo with some Graciano, Grenache, white varieties and other unknown varieties. The expression of each plot remains undisturbed until the end of the aging process. The complete blend defines the authenticity and viticultural essence of Leza.

94 Points - Tim Atkin

92 Points - James Suckling

SALAS 2021.jpg

Salas 2021

Salas 2021 is the interpretation of a unique plot marked by the orography of the Sierra de Toloño. 2.6 hectares of old vines of clonal biodiversity that in turn form micro-plots with their own identity within the same vineyard. The authenticity and personality of a unique place. Viticulture that is extremely respectful of the environment and the natural cycles of the vine. The purest essence of a centenary vineyard that has defied the passage of time. Complexity and liveliness. Pure expression of the Salas area.

93 Points - Tim Atkin

94 Points - James Suckling

Tour Aiurri Winery

bottom of page