Txomin Etxaniz
Basque and Spanish pronunciations
The founding family behind Getariako Txakolina, crafting Basque coast wines since 1649 from steep Atlantic hillsides above Getaria.
Txomin Etxaniz is one of the oldest and most prestigious Txakoli producers on Spain's Cantabrian coast. The Txueka-Etxaniz family spearheaded the 1989 founding of D.O. Getariako Txakolina and continues to set the standard for the appellation. Their wines earned a Wine Spectator Top 100 ranking in 2024.
- Family documentation traces back to 1649 under the name Domingo de Etxaniz
- Located in Getaria, a historic fishing town on the Cantabrian Sea coast in Gipuzkoa
- Iñaki Txueka led the Txakoli revival starting in 1980 and co-founded D.O. Getariako Txakolina in 1989
- Farms 50 to 60 hectares of steep hillside vineyards in sandy, chalky loam soils
- Produces Hondarrabi Zuri and Hondarrabi Beltza grapes under Atlantic conditions with up to 70 inches of annual rainfall
- Ranked 62nd in Wine Spectator Top 100 for 2024 with a 90-point score
- Produces three wines: Txomin Etxaniz (Txakoli), Eugenia (sparkling), and Uydi (late harvest)
History and Heritage
The Etxaniz family history in Getaria is documented as far back as 1649, when the estate appears under the name Domingo de Etxaniz. The modern chapter began in 1980 when Iñaki Txueka led a movement to revitalize Txakoli production in the Basque Country. His efforts culminated in the establishment of D.O. Getariako Txakolina in 1989, making Txomin Etxaniz a founding force of the appellation. The estate remains in the hands of the Txueka-Etxaniz family to this day.
- Family records date to 1649 under the name Domingo de Etxaniz
- Iñaki Txueka initiated the Txakoli revival movement in 1980
- Co-founded D.O. Getariako Txakolina in 1989
- Still family-owned and operated by the Txueka-Etxaniz family
Terroir and Vineyards
The estate covers 50 to 60 hectares of steep hillside terrain overlooking the Cantabrian Sea near Getaria. The slopes are so severe that pergola trellising is not suitable, requiring a different approach to vine management. Soils are a sandy, chalky loam composition. The climate is a moderate Atlantic type, defined by high humidity and up to 70 inches of precipitation per year. These conditions shape the characteristic freshness and acidity of the wines.
- 50 to 60 hectares of steep hillside vineyards with inclines unsuitable for pergola trellising
- Sandy, chalky loam soils
- Atlantic climate with up to 70 inches of annual rainfall
- Located directly on the Cantabrian Sea coast in Getaria
Grapes and Winemaking
Txomin Etxaniz grows the two authorized Getariako Txakolina varieties: Hondarrabi Zuri (white) and Hondarrabi Beltza (red). Grapes are hand-harvested in early October. White vinification begins with pneumatic pressing in an inert atmosphere to protect aromatics. Fermentation occurs at controlled temperatures using selected indigenous yeasts, a technique designed to retain dissolved CO2 and produce the wine's characteristic light effervescence. The wine then ages for six months in stainless steel on the lees with battonage.
- Hondarrabi Zuri and Hondarrabi Beltza are the two grapes cultivated
- Grapes hand-harvested in early October
- Pneumatic pressing in inert atmosphere preserves aromatic freshness
- Six months of stainless steel sur lie aging with battonage
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The estate produces three distinct wines. The flagship Txomin Etxaniz is the classic Txakoli style, lightly sparkling, fresh, and fruity with characteristic acidity. Eugenia is the estate's sparkling offering. Uydi is a late harvest wine that demonstrates the range of the Hondarrabi Zuri grape. The flagship Txakoli earned a 90-point score from Wine Spectator and ranked 62nd in the publication's Top 100 wines of 2024.
- Txomin Etxaniz: classic Txakoli, lightly sparkling white
- Eugenia: sparkling wine
- Uydi: late harvest wine
- Ranked 62nd in Wine Spectator Top 100, 2024
Floral and spice aromas lead into flavors of red apple, tangerine zest, and honeydew melon, with a characteristic salty finish. The wine is lightly sparkling, fresh, and high in acidity.
- Txomin Etxaniz Getariako Txakolina$18-22The flagship Txakoli, 90 points Wine Spectator, ranked 62nd in the 2024 Top 100.Find →
- Txomin Etxaniz Eugenia$25-35The estate's sparkling expression of Hondarrabi Zuri from Getaria's Atlantic hillsides.Find →
- Txomin Etxaniz Uydi$50-70Late harvest wine showcasing the full ripeness potential of Hondarrabi Zuri on the Cantabrian coast.Find →
- D.O. Getariako Txakolina was established in 1989; Txomin Etxaniz was a founding producer
- Authorized grape varieties are Hondarrabi Zuri (white) and Hondarrabi Beltza (red)
- Atlantic climate delivers up to 70 inches of annual rainfall, driving the wine's high natural acidity
- Winemaking protocol includes fermentation with indigenous yeast to retain dissolved CO2, producing the signature light spritz
- Sur lie aging for six months in stainless steel with battonage adds texture while preserving freshness