The History of Oxer Wines
Oxer Wines is the project of Basque winemaker Oxer Bastegieta. Long drawn to the terroirs of Rioja Alavesa, he settled in Laguardia in 2005. In 2009, he made his first wine from old-vine grapes grown by local growers. This first experience confirmed his attachment to the region and gradually led him to develop his own project there.
Old vines hold a central place in his approach. Oxer has notably reinvested in acquiring old parcels in Rioja Alavesa, such as Artillero, located in Elvillar, at around 600 meters of altitude.
His work also extends to the Basque Country, around Kortezubi in Biscay, where he produces wines under the D.O. Bizkaiko Txakolina.
Viticulture and Vinification: The Philosophy of Oxer Wines
In the terroirs of Rioja Alavesa, the vines are farmed organically following the principles of regenerative agriculture, with particular attention paid to old parcels and soil health.
In Kortezubi, Oxer places special emphasis on cover crops, biodynamics and permaculture in his approach to the vineyard.
In the cellar, aging can take place in stainless steel tanks, concrete eggs, amphorae, foudres or oak barrels of various sizes. The domaine thus seeks precise wines, lightly marked by oak and capable of evolving over time.
The Wines of Oxer Wines
Each region has its own grape varieties and identity: Oxer Bastegieta draws on this diversity to craft wines deeply connected to their origin, between the continental terroirs of Rioja and the Atlantic influence of the Basque Country.
In Rioja, Oxer Wines works notably with Tempranillo, Garnacha and Viura, while in Biscay, the cuvées showcase local varieties such as Hondarribi Zuri, Hondarribi Zuri Zerratia and Izkiriota Txikia. This diversity allows Oxer to explore very different expressions, while maintaining the same pursuit of freshness, precision and identity.
The wines also stand out for their distinctive names and visual identity. Each cuvée is conceived as carrying a story or a message, making the name and label an extension of the wine itself. Cuvées such as Iraun, Tartalo, Suzzane, Kalamity and Marko reflect Oxer Bastegieta's personal universe and his way of connecting terroir, culture and creation.
