There is an interesting confluence of three climates in Navarra (Atlantic, Continental and Mediterranean from north to south) and this combined with a range of soils, altitude, sunshine and rainfall in an area that’s only 120 miles north-south and 60 miles east-west, allows for this small region to produce a variety of styles of wines from many different grape varieties.
D.O. Navarra has 11,000 hectares (27,182 acres) of vines planted, divided into five distinct winemaking subzones – Ribera Baja, Ribera Alta, Tierra Estella, Valdizarbe, and Baja Montaña – and is governed by a Consejo Regulador based in the historic village of Olite.
ATLANTIC CLIMATE: cool and humid, thanks to the proximity to the Atlantic Ocean
Tierra Estella: located in the Northwest, boarding the Basque Country and La Rioja, along the “Way of Saint James”. Pronounced hilly landscape with mountain ranges to the north, highest average altitude and notable Atlantic influence.
Wines are aromatic, mineral character, fresh and balanced. Age well.
Main varieties: Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Chardonnay.
Soils: heavy clay, marl, loam, gravel, and sand
Learn more about Tierra Estrella
Valdizarbe: located in the north central portion of the region in the heartland of the “Way of Saint James”, mountain ranges to the west and north, the Arga River runs through the area forming a landscape of gentle hills and valleys. This is the most humid area.
White and rose wines are aromatic and bright, reds are intense, balanced and age well.
Main varieties: Tempranillo, Garnacha, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay and Malvasía
Soils: marl, loam, alluvial
Baja Montaña: located in the northeastern area, at the foothills of the Pyrenees Mountains marked by a pronounced relief and abundant mountain scrub.
This area is known for “rosados” with intense color and red wines with bright acidity
Main varieties: Garnacha and Tempranillo
Soils: marl, loam, sand, limestone, and gravel
CONTINENTAL: transitional, extreme winters and summers
Ribera Alta: forms the heart of Navarra. The Rio Ega flows through the middle and at the center is the medieval town of Olite.
Continental climate transitioning from Atlantic to a Mediterranean climate. Gentle landscape with high terraces. Warmer area compared to the northern zones with less rainfall.
Wines produced are medium-bodied with intense color and apt for barrel aging.
Main varieties: Tempranillo, Graciano, Chardonnay, Moscatel de Grano Menudo
Soils: loamy-clay, marl, sand, and limestone
MEDITERRANEAN: semi-arid with moderate winters, hot summers
Ribera Baja: the most southern area, near the town of Tudela, in the Ebro valley with the Moncayo mountain range to the south and the Bardenas Reales desert 15 miles to the east.
As this is the warmest of the zones with less rainfall, wines produced are full-bodied.
Main varieties: Tempranillo, Garnacha, Viura and Moscatel
Soils: loam, stone, limestone, marl, sand