When pairing the vineyard and the business is the day to day
Tradition and sustainability are the nuances that Iñigo, winemaker at Bodegas Ostatu, wants to continue offering in his wines. A product that he has known since he was born, which he has rediscovered over the years. He states that he would like to adapt to contemporary times and the challenges posed by today’s society, as well as today’s complex and changing market.
First of all, who is Iñigo?
I am the fifth of a family of six siblings and the youngest of those who make up Ostatu. My childhood and upbringing in a large family have marked my way of being, so I consider myself a simple person who tries to enjoy life, but with responsibility and commitment.
Tell us something about yourself that few people know
Among my favorite hobbies are astronomy and meteorology. I have always been passionate about it and consult many publications and applications about it.
When you don’t work, we can find you:
– Eating…
I like cooking for my friends and my family. I enjoy preparing a meal, whether it’s a good casserole or a grill. I believe that I am a good host and I like to share time and conversation with family and friends.
-Doing…
When I can, I do some exercise on the bike, which is a sport that I have always practiced and that I like.
What do you spend your free time on?
I don’t have time to dedicate to many more hobbies. Four years ago life gave us two twin girls and since both my partner and I are working, the free time we have we dedicate to them. I hope to be able to recover time to enjoy the mountains, friends, and travel, which is also something I would like to do more.
If you had to choose, sea or mountain?
I’ll take the mountain. The colors, the freshness, its aromas… there is no doubt.
A must in your fridge?
It’s hard for me to decide on something. I like everything, although in season you cannot miss a good tomato from my father’s garden and a good cheese. And to enjoy them, a good wine, either white or red.
What is your worst success? And your best failure?
The answer is complicated… My worst success, and what I regret and will regret for the rest of my life, is not having finished my university studies, despite the fact that I feel great satisfaction from my professional performance in viticulture and in the winery. As for my best failure, having had the opportunity to innovate and change things in production, although not all of them have been successful, many of them have.
What is your biggest fear?
That health does not accompany us to be able to lead a normal life, working and enjoying family and friends.
What did you want to be as a kid?
My parents still remind me of that… Often, I used to say that I was going to be an inventor to create a robot that will drive the tractor in the vineyards. Nothing could be further from the truth, since being at the foot of the vineyard is one of my daily tasks and one that I also enjoy.
What does wine mean to you?
Wine and everything that surrounds it has been with me since the cradle and almost everything I do is related to it.
Within your work, what are you most proud of?
Of being capable, year after year, of transferring in each bottle of wine that we make the commitment and affection for the vineyard, for the work carried out by those who have preceded us and, for this land. In addition, I am proud that it is something that I have learned from my parents.
What do you think are the main strengths of Bodegas Ostatu?
Sharing an objective and a common commitment to transfer a job well done from the vineyard to our customers and to those who consume our wines. On the other hand, we have an adequate size that allows us to quickly adapt to changes.
You have won the 2021 SOStainability Award from El Correo, BBVA, and Aclima. How can viticulture contribute to sustainability?
It can contribute a lot. On the one hand, it directly affects the quality and differentiation of the product, giving rise to purer wines that express and transmit the characteristics of our vineyards. In turn, we improve the landscape and biodiversity, which influences our well-being. I believe that the future challenge in all sectors involves not so much numerical growth, but growth based on improving the natural and socioeconomic environment.
Do you see the climate emergency situation that we are experiencing today as a threat to the wine sector?
I don’t know if it threatens, but the development of our viticulture is changing and we must adapt: new wine-growing practices, vineyards at altitude, changes in the production of our wines, etc. Climate change is a reality and we see it clearly. Today we have vineyards in Samaniego at almost 800 meters, which is something that 50 years ago would have been unthinkable. What we do have to do is help to improve this situation or, at least, not make it worse. We can all take steps to help mitigate this situation. We are working on it and I think that in a short time, it will be an important trend within our region.
Winemaker’s word: your favorite Ostatu wine and why.
At each moment a wine. There are great wines that allow us to enjoy or enhance a moment or a dish. For this reason, it is difficult for me to choose, but the one I drink every day is carbonic maceration wine.
