Azul y Garanza is an organic, regenerative winery from Carcastillo in Navarra, northern Spain, whose vineyards lie on the edge of Europe’s largest desert. Behind the project are María Barrena Belzunegui, Fernando Barrena Belzunegui and Dani Nogué Sánchez, united by the desire to craft wines that convey a wild, living nature.

The winery is housed in a building steeped in history: a cooperative founded in 1940 by the families of Carcastillo to make wine together, purchased and revived by Azul y Garanza in 1999. Narrow, elongated concrete tanks, semi-buried with thick walls, ensure a stable temperature, while solar panels and smart windows reduce the energy footprint.

In the vineyard, the guiding principle is biodiversity: between the rows grow fruit and ornamental trees, native shrubs and aromatic plants; the poor, shallow clay-limestone soils are not tilled and retain ground cover to protect against erosion. No synthetic chemicals: the only treatments are sulfur and copper sulfate, and some old vineyards in the area have been restored and brought back into production.

In the cellar, intervention is kept to a minimum, with spontaneous fermentations from indigenous yeasts and gentle manual pump-overs. The range, with Garnacha center stage, includes the Naturaleza Salvaje and Suelo Vivo lines, unfiltered, low-sulfite wines; the everyday Viña de Biodiversidad wines, such as Vitis, Rosa, Fiesta and Abril; and the Clásicos Garciano, Seis and Desierto, aged in oak for 6 to 18 months.

Respect for the land, the recovery of heritage and a passion for authentic wines make Azul y Garanza one of the most compelling voices in Navarra’s natural wine scene.