Antxiola

TXAKOLI, Spain


At a Glance
  • Small family run winery in Getaria near the village of Orio.
  • Custom bottling for Polaner selections from their naturally farmed vineyards on cliffs overlooking the ocean.
  • Bottled with its own natural effervenscence.

Antxiola pronounced (ahn-cho-la) is a txacoli wine made by Bodegas Zudugarai. The winery was founded in 1989 the same year that the DO of Getaria txakolina was founded. The Errasti family has been growing grapes and making wine from these vineyards for over 40 years working with the local varieties of Hondarrabi Zuri and Hondarrabi Beltza. The vineyards and winery are near the coast line among rolling hills at about 90 meters above sea level. The sunniest and windiest slopes are the ones planted to vines so that the grapes can get ripe and also remain dry and avoid fungal and rot issues. All work in the vineyards is done by hand including harvest. Fermentation takes place naturally in stainless steel tanks over a period of about 20 days. The wine is then bottled while young to retain some of its natural effervescence.

Besides the delicious and bracing Txacoli, Antxiola also makes a small amount of a fresh, vibrant, pale pink Rosado.

The name Antxiola refers to a famous fortified home in the nearby town of Orio that was part of the walls fortifying the town. A rendering of that home is on the label of this wine. Admiral Antxiola was one of the most famous owners and written records of the house date back to 1555 – but we know the house is older than that.