The name Aitaren, meaning “of our father” in Basque, is the root of everything.
It was Juan Eizagirre who, with an enthusiasm that we, his children, continue to nurture today, taught us that wine is not made only in the winery, but in the way the land is cared for, through respect and perseverance.
Since 2015, we have continued his legacy by producing txakolis that combine tradition and technique, with the same artisanal soul as always and a clear focus on excellence.
Each bottle of Aitaren is a tribute — a way of keeping alive “the thread that connects us to what came before.”
At our family farmhouse near Zumaia, just 1.5 km from the sea, we cultivate a four-hectare vineyard surrounding the house and the winery, with slopes and terraced, stair-like plots that reflect our dedication.
The saline soils and the Flysch —a geological formation composed of clay and mineral marls— give each grape its own character. The vines grow on trellises oriented from north to south to maximize sun exposure, and they are pruned with a respectful approach that extends the life of each vine. Every detail in the vineyard is carefully considered so that the grapes ripen optimally and our wines convey the essence of the land and the family passion that makes them unique.
Each September, when the family vineyard reaches its perfect point of ripeness, the harvest begins at Aitaren.
It is a patient, hands-on process, using small ten-kilogram boxes, where each cluster is selected twice: first in the vineyard and then in the winery. The close proximity between the two ensures that the grapes arrive intact, preserving all their freshness.
The must flows by gravity, without pumps, to preserve its natural purity. The pressing is gentle, and each plot is vinified separately to express its own character. The slow, controlled fermentation is followed by ageing on the lees in wood, foudres, and concrete eggs, where the wine gains texture and depth without losing its energy.
This is the journey of our grapes, and this is how our txakolis are born: Aitaren and Lurretik—wines that speak not only of soil and climate, but also of the care and precision that guide every gesture in the winery.
Because at Aitaren, the harvest is only the beginning of everything that gives meaning to our work.
