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Izadi is a Rioja Alavesa producer for drinkers who want to explore some of the diversity that exists within Rioja rather than seeing the region only through its traditional ageing classifications. Based in Villabuena de Álava, Izadi works with old vineyards spread across small parcels around Villabuena, Samaniego and Ábalos, using the character of those vineyards and Rioja's native grape varieties as the starting point for its wines.
That makes Izadi particularly interesting if you already enjoy Rioja but want to understand some of the differences that can exist within it. Across its wider range, Izadi explores individual vineyards, traditional and minority grape varieties, white Rioja and different approaches to maturation while retaining a strong connection to Rioja Alavesa.
Izadi was founded in 1987 in Villabuena de Álava, in the heart of Rioja Alavesa. Its vineyards are concentrated around the neighbouring villages of Villabuena, Samaniego and Ábalos, an area that forms an important part of the producer's identity.
Many of these vineyards are old and divided into relatively small parcels. Rather than trying to make every wine conform to one house style, Izadi uses those vineyards, their different grape varieties and appropriate winemaking methods to explore different expressions of Rioja.
This means that seeing Izadi on the label doesn't tell you exactly what the wine will taste like. One wine might explore the complexity that comes with maturation, another the contribution of Rioja's native white grapes, while other wines within the wider Izadi range explore individual vineyards or particular grape varieties.
If that approach sounds like the kind of Rioja you'd like to explore, you can view our Izadi wines.
One of the most interesting parts of Izadi's approach is its work with Rioja's less familiar native varieties.
Tempranillo and Viura remain important, but Izadi has also worked with varieties including Garnacha, Graciano, Mazuelo, Maturana Tinta, Garnacha Blanca, Tempranillo Blanco, Maturana Blanca, Malvasía and Turruntés.
This isn't simply about putting unusual grape names on labels. Izadi has explored what different varieties contribute and how different approaches to fermentation and maturation can help express their individual characteristics.
That philosophy is particularly obvious in Izadi Selección Blanco, which brings together all six native white grape varieties authorised in Rioja. Rather than asking one grape to define the wine, the blend uses their different characteristics to build complexity, freshness, aroma and texture.
There isn't one simple answer — and that's partly what makes the producer interesting.
Izadi isn't defined by making every bottle taste alike. What connects the wines is an interest in preserving personality while using winemaking and maturation to develop complexity rather than simply imposing flavour.
For a Rioja drinker, that makes Izadi useful as a producer to explore when you want to discover some of the differences created by grape variety, vineyard, maturation and winemaking rather than expecting a single recognisable house taste.
Izadi Selección Blanco provides perhaps the clearest example of the producer's interest in Rioja's grape diversity. It combines Viura, Maturana Blanca, Tempranillo Blanco, Garnacha Blanca, Malvasía and Turruntés, bringing all six native white varieties authorised in Rioja into one wine.
Much of its complexity therefore comes from the interaction between the varieties themselves, supported by carefully judged fermentation and maturation rather than simply relying on oak to create flavour. White and tropical fruit, citrus and floral character are joined by texture, freshness and restrained toasted and spicy notes.
As an expression of Izadi's philosophy, it demonstrates how familiar Rioja can look quite different when the producer begins with the diversity of the region's grapes rather than with an ageing classification.
Izadi Reserva demonstrates the same underlying philosophy from a very different direction. Here the additional complexity comes through maturation, but the aim isn't simply to make ageing the dominant characteristic of the wine.
Developed fruit, tobacco, liquorice, earth and oak sit alongside fruit, perfume and freshness, allowing the effects of maturation to become part of the wine rather than obscuring the character underneath.
Together, the two wines illustrate why Izadi is difficult to reduce to a single house style. Selección Blanco explores diversity through native white grapes, while Reserva shows how maturation can add complexity while preserving fruit and freshness.
Izadi earns its place in our Rioja range because it helps show that Rioja offers more than a simple progression through Crianza, Reserva and Gran Reserva.
The two wines we stock approach that idea from very different directions. Selección Blanco opens up the diversity of Rioja's native white grapes, while Reserva demonstrates how a mature Rioja can retain fruit, perfume and freshness alongside the character developed through ageing.
We don't need a large Izadi range for that producer story to be useful. What matters is that the wines help reveal different aspects of Rioja and give customers a reason to explore the region beyond a single familiar style.
If Izadi Reserva has made you curious about what maturation changes in Rioja, our Rioja Ageing Guide explains the differences between younger Rioja, Crianza, Reserva and Gran Reserva and can help you decide which direction to explore.
If Izadi Selección Blanco has made you curious about the different expressions of white Rioja, our White Rioja Guide explores the styles available and what creates those differences.
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