Bodega Otazu Team

Bodega Otazu is a temple with human labor at the center of everything, at the beginning and the end; where selection, perfection and quality seem to be engraved on each door, on each column, on each vault of its spectacular aging nave.

Faithful to the permanent search for excellence and in order to raise the quality of our wines even higher, Bodega Otazu has recently made a new winemaking commitment. Since January 2013 it has had a new winemaking team, professionals with extensive experience in high-end wines, who dedicate their best efforts to making Otazu wines.

Enrique Basarte, Technical Director

With extensive experience in technical management in prestigious wineries, Enrique Basarte (Pamplona, 1973) begins a new stage in Bodega Otazu, an arrival in which he will contribute his extensive experience in the production of countless types of wine.

Enrique Basarte is a lover of the vineyards, of the landscape that is discovered through a bottle. With a degree in Agricultural Engineering from the University of Navarra, he trained in Oenology at the University of La Rioja, where he also completed a Master’s degree in Viticulture and Oenology. In addition, he has completed his knowledge in various French centers in Burgundy and Bordeaux.

He has extensive technical experience in viticulture and oenology, having worked in different Designations of Origin for the past 30 years. The last project was the creation and enhancement of Domaines Lupier winery (Navarra), a task in which he succeeded thanks to his experience as head of national and international wineries.

Mikael Laizet, advisor to Bodega Otazu

With a degree in Viticulture and Oenology from the University of Bordeaux, he has been part of Michel Rolland’s winemaking team since 2001. He has extensive experience in Grand Crus in Bordeaux and in countries such as Argentina, Spain, Portugal, Turkey and Armenia.

Brice Cousinié, microbiology vineyard adviser

Upon finishing his studies in agronomy, he joined his father in his company Méthode Cousinié in the work he had been doing since 1971, and was the person who passed on his know-how, his way of seeing things and his love for the vine.

The study of plant physiology and the experiments carried out in collaboration with his clients have allowed him to better refine the specific nutritional needs of grape varieties. </ p>

Its 2 ranges of nutritional products (soil and foliar) made with elements that present a very high assimilation by the plant and a perfect biocompatibility with the vine, allow to optimize the potential of each plot and therefore the qualitative potential in the wines.

After more than fifteen years of experience in the field in France and internationally, he practices this profession with passion, supporting winegrowers in the production of the best wines. </ p >

Aitziber Larrea, Head of R&D and viticulture

Aitziber Larrea is the Head of the vineyard and R&D projects. She has a degree in Food Science and Technology, a Technical Engineer in Agricultural Industries and a Master’s degree in Viticulture and Oenology. She began her career in the viticulture area at the Navarre Viticulture and Oenology Station and has accumulated 20 years of experience in vineyard management and in the Quality area working in various wineries in Navarra.</ P>

His passion for managing and monitoring the vineyard plot by plot, together with his taste for the oenological area, have led him to launch several projects related to the production of singular wines (recovery of varieties) as well as with the improvement of the sustainability of the cultivation of the vine in Bodega Otazu.

Raquel Losua, quality manager

Graduated in Innovation of Food Processes and Products at the Public University of Navarra, she joined Bodega Otazu in 2018 and did her Final Degree Project in the winery, carrying out the study of the production of sparkling wines. She is now part of the Quality and R&D Department, and manages laboratory analyses, cellar production process control, projects, etc.

Xavier Pinto, winemaker
Iker Uriz, winemaker
Patxi Urrutia, tractor driver
Aitor Zabalza, tractor driver
Andoni Arozena, tractor driver