Three years of Rooters - It is time to keep together around wine
Three Years of Rooters: A Journey from Gastronomy to the Soul of Wine
More than three years ago, I made a decision that would change not only my professional life but also my way of understanding travel, gastronomy, and, above all, wine. Rooters was born in 2023 with a clear purpose: to reveal the heart of the Basque Country to those who arrived hungry for authenticity. It was never just about offering tours, but about crafting experiences that connected travelers with the essence of a land, its people, and its flavors. What began as a project focused on Basque gastronomy has, thanks to you, evolved into something far deeper.
Every client who has passed through Rooters has left an indelible mark. You haven’t just been spectators—you’ve been active accomplices in shaping this project. Your curiosity, your questions, and your enthusiasm led me to take a bold step: to delve into the world of wine. And not just any way, but from the roots: the winemakers, their stories, their landscapes, and, above all, their passion. Because behind every bottle are people who, with a mix of determination and vulnerability, choose to share a part of themselves through what they cultivate.
Wine as a Bridge: From the Basque Country to Rioja
Wine is more than a drink; it is a narrative of earth, time, and hands. Over this time, I’ve had the privilege of meeting those who work the land with respect and stubbornness, those who see in every vine an extension of their identity. These encounters have taught me that wine is, above all, an act of generosity. And it is this generosity that has inspired me to take the next step.
Today, Rooters turns three, and with that milestone comes the moment to open a new chapter. After months of reflection (and the occasional headache over licenses and budgets), I am on the verge of unveiling a space that symbolizes this growth: a historic 19th-century cellar in Rioja. A place where time seems to stand still, where the walls hold the secrets of generations of winemakers, and where every corner breathes the essence of a region that pulses to the rhythm of the vine.
The ‘Wine Journal’ and the Winery: A Tribute to Wine and Its Artisans
This space will be more than just another point on the map. It will be a sanctuary for wine and human connection. Here, experiences will take on a new dimension:
Intimate tastings with Rioja producers, where wine will be savored not only with the palate but with the stories that accompany it.
Small, private meals, designed so that each dish converses with the wine and every conversation flows as naturally as Rioja itself.
The winery, which will begin its restoration in the coming weeks, will mark my official arrival in Rioja, but it will also be a tribute to all those who have believed in Rooters. A space to celebrate wine not as a product, but as a living legacy.
A Toast to What Lies Ahead
Three years have passed, but this is only the beginning. With the cellar in Rioja and the ‘Wine Journal’ as new allies, we will continue exploring, learning, and, above all, sharing. Because, like good company, wine improves with time.
And to you—those who have been there from the start—I owe a special thanks. You are the ones who have turned Rooters into what it is today: a project with deep roots and branches that keep growing.
