Available in wine cellars and specialist stores throughout the Basque Country
The Irouléguy estate is located in the heart of the Basque Country around Saint Etienne de Baïgorry and Saint Jean Pied de Port. It is among the smallest vineyards in France with 250 hectares, mostly grown on steep hillside terraces, farmed by approximately fifty winegrowers. After almost having disappeared at the start of the 20th century, it was redeveloped in the 1950s to become the Cave d’Irouléguy. The grape varieties are mostly grown locally and are not widespread in France. These are white Gros Manseng, Petit Manseng and Petit Courbu varieties and red and rosé Tannat, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon.
This very special climate enjoying hot and dry autumns with southerly winds along with rocky soils is what makes these Irouléguy wines powerful with a unique. Irouléguy reds are both powerful and balanced whereas the rosé wines are distinctive for their freshness and assertive character. By contrast, white wines are dry and have an expressive and unique aromatic structure.
Today there are 60 winegrowers, including 11 independent estates and 1 cooperative winery.
