Arinzano, a Vino de Pago in Navarra.
At Arinzano they are very proud to be a Vino de Pago, a vineyard recognised as a specific site, a superior appellation within an appellation is the simplest way to put it. Their name may not be one you are not familiar with but wearing my non-expert hat I loved it, especially the white ( my usual weakness ). My trip to the estate in Navarra was the repeat of a visit for the Finest Wines of N Spain book,which was in itself a wonderful eye-opening experience. The estate is now under new ownership but the gate and its view are still stunning, only this time I arrived after a two hour taxi ride from Bilbao which should not be seen as a drawback but very much a bonus. The scudding dark clouds were too. Its a dramatic spot that would have looked a little tame under a clear blue sky. The guest accommodation was perfect, with vines all around and I was spoilt with lunch and dinner at a variety of suitably good but relaxed local restaurants in the company of the wine maker, Diego Ribbert and the general manager Manuel Lozada. What could go wrong…? Is n’t there always a downside, a hiccup …?
No not here.
That was saved for another job….
The kind of shot that needs the light coming from just the right direction and means an early morning.
On the other hand the location of the vineyards in a valley running north to south means the ‘hero’ shot will have to wait until mid morning which gives me time to get breakfast before I scramble up through the scrub and thorns to a suitable viewpoint.
Breakfast, deserved and needed. In Spain lunch is mid afternoon.
3 cameras ready to go.
Dramatic light means heavy rain is on the way.
The valley channels the wind and the rain moves on. Rot is not a problem here.
Eventually it rains and its time for lunch.
Followed by some indoor work in the cellars.
Clearly looking forward to having their picture taken, José, Manuel and Diego.
More of the team Diego with Ana and Iván.
My fun transport among the chardonnay !
An attempt to do a slightly different ‘bottle shot’ Shooting a moving target and getting the labels sharp was not as easy as I had thought !
Ana realises that modelling is hard work !
Coffee and cake was our reward.
Manuel hard at work in the cellar.
Petit Village
If I have a favourite part of Bordeaux I think it is St Emilion, in spite of its touristic tendencies, but when asked to go to Pomerol I was not too unhappy!
I was off to Château Petit Village, a name I had often passed by and was going to spend a whole 24 hours exploring it and meet….. It looks a small property but then I don’t know Pomerol vineyards so well despite several visits. All the houses seem more like farmhouses than châteaux although some are grander than others. That of Lafleur would surprise most people, across the road as it is from the famous Petrus.
Anyway Petit Village at least has a small avenue of trees and modern extension. And some guest accommodation that is always so welcome. One glance out of the window tells you whether to get up or not ! Of course its flat but there are no distractions, no frills. Everything is for the wine.
Diana meets me on the drive and I given the tour. The modern extension is impressive but simple, everything is functional and well thought through. I am left to wander the vines alone as the sun drops before showering and meeting up with Diana and her husband to have dinner in St Emilion. The next morning is grey and I’m grateful I made the most of the previous evening. I have only the morning to shoot some more portraits, the tasting room, barrel room and cuverie and time passes quickly until I am summoned to my taxi to return to Bordeaux. It seems there had hardly been time to blink but in fact it was a very pleasant opportunity to enjoy a little corner of Pomerol and friendly hospitality.
Château Petit Village in a sea of Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Franc.
I think its Franc on the right….. or the left… no, on the left, definitely, I think.
The modern winery at Petit Village
Winery interior with individual tanks for each plot.
A view at dusk.
The “château”
Diana Berrouet-Garcia, the boss in her tasting room.
Soil
Checking the wind before spraying.
Its that easy to lift an empty barrel !
jonatcorton 
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