Domaine Ameztia 4 Items

Shepherd/winemaker Jean-Louis Costera established Ameztia as an avenue for his family’s passion for wine. The Costera family has been making wine in Irouléguy since the 17th century. In 2001 Jean-Louis modernized the winemaking facilities on the family’s estate so that they could craft their own world-class Irouléguy. In 2011 Jean-Louis brought his Bordeaux-trained oenologist nephew, Gexan, on board and began transitioning control of the estate to him. Before joining his family winery, Gexan had been making wine at Arretxea. Jean-Louis has applied his experiences as a shepherd to his winemaking. He believes that the key to a great wine is to tend to the grapes with the same care that a shepherd tends his flock: as the shepherd knows that the best lambs come from a well-nourished ewe, a vintner should know that the best grapes come from a well-tended vine. The estate’s seven hectares of vines are now mostly planted with Tannat and some Cabernet Franc, as well as a little Gros Manseng and Petit Manseng for their white wine.