Juantxu (Mendi) is one of the most exciting names among the new generation of young producers in Rioja.  He doesn't follow trends nor chases the customer, making wines that are true to him, true to the soil.  Mendi's goal is to create a portfolio of quality wines that have complexity and balance, and that at the same time, that truly represent this privileged Rioja Alavesa region.  

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From the beginning, Mendi's focus has always been on the terroirs of his vineyards.  Mendi's love of wine is rooted in his Rioja Alavesa blood.  Growing up with his father, Mendi learned to love and take care of his family vineyards as if they were gold.  He learned almost everything about vineyard management from his father, working six days a week and sometimes even seven.  After completing a masters in viticulture and winemaking, Mendi toured countless vineyards and wineries of all sizes in Spain, France and California, learning firsthand from others what makes good wine.  Talking to other vineyard managers, trying to understand how each winemaker learned his/her craft, drinking other winemaker's wines, Mendi was in heaven, soaking up all he could learn, and at the same time, drinking good (and sometimes bad) wine.  Mendi's dream was to one day be able to make high quality, vineyard-based wines that were true to him, true to his beloved Rioja Alavesa soil.

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In 2005, Mendi's dream came true.  He began crafting award-winning wines, welcoming a true representation of varietal character and a sense of place with every glass.  In 2016, over a decade later, Mendi decided to move to a single estate vineyard concept, making wines from carefully selected 55+ year old vines.  Athough the age of the vineyard is important to him, it's not what's most important to Mendi.  Instead, it's the soil.  Working just under 15 hectares (about 37 acres) of family vineyards located at the foothills at the eastern end of the Sierra Cantabria mountains, Mendi learned that the soil is key to making top quality wines.  One can have the right climate, the perfect techniques, the most flavorable varietals, very old vines, etc. but it's the proper soil and a sustainably managed and carefully balanced farming eco-system that gives these wines a distinctive sense of place, quality and authenticity. 

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Located in a privileged region for quality grape growing, Rioja Alavesa, Mendi's vineyards are characterized by steeply sloped landscape and distinctive chalky, clay-limestone soil.  This type of soil retains precipitation and minerals, basically saving the vines in dry times.  It also helps the vines stay cooler during warmer times, imparting flavors intuitive to clay itself:  thick, round and generous.  The end result are muscular wines with high extract and color, a true delight! 

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