Isastegi

A quality designation was created in 2017 called PDO Euskal Sagardoa for natural cider. It allows the use of 115 local apple varieties grown in the Basque Autonomous Community, certifying both quality and local origin. Euskal Sagardoa designated ciders are always natural, produced from certified apples, and have to pass a tasting panel and lab analysis. Isastegi carries the red neckband of Euskal Sagardoa (there is also a gold neckband for special, limited ciders), attesting to their hard work advancing the local cider discipline.

The family is also currently working on adding more planting of orchards in Tolosa in higher elevation plots. These plots, as well as all their existing orchards, are farmed according to organic principles, confirmed by their official certification in 2021. As a matter of production, all apples are native to the Basque Country and only indigenous yeasts are used for spontaneous fermentation. There are no additions or corrections allowed in Euskal Sagardoa.

They have a state-of-the-art pressing and bottling room as well as a large entertainment space for their kupelas (traditional, large oak cider barrels), where they host the txotx (spring tasting) season. Every spring visitors and locals gather at Isastegi to celebrate txotx season by tasting the new vintage of cider while enjoying the traditional cider house meal of codfish omelette, fried cod with piquillo peppers, steak, walnuts, quince jelly, and Idiazabal cheese. Txotx!