Laguardia, Juan Atxurra

Juan the Winery Owner

 Here in Laguardia, Juan Atxurra is a sexy guy who loves his vineyards and success in Rioja as much as you love his Alavesa Reserva. He struts his stuff with the magnetic presence of Clint Eastwood. You just can’t take your eyes off him.

He listens to your questions with careful consideration, and responds without hesitation. The confidence with which he delivers his responses could be interpreted as cocky, but his genuine smile, great skin tone, and sparkling gold chain quell that notion. Between questions, he barks off orders to his winery manager who responds with immediacy and respect. 

 Juan has earned his status here in the Alavesa. He is a true Vasco who embodies why they never needed a kingdom. Entrepreneurial, brilliant, calm, swift, and with that Clint Eastwood glance he’s got an eagle eye that can see through the Cantabrian mountains, beyond the horizon of the Cantabrian sea, and with visual radar identify the best vineyards to buy kilometers away in Leza or Lanciego.

Although suits are absent couture for these winery owners you can be sure his jeans are Armani and his shoes the best calf’s skin leather a euro can buy -  double-stitched old world craftsmanship you can’t knock off in China. Likewise, you can be sure his gold is 18K. And, one more thing, jewelry sales go up in great vintages.