Gaintza means "on top of." The winery sits on the bluffs above the Cantabrian Sea, west of San Sebastián, at 75 meters of elevation. The Lazkano family has farmed this land since 1923. Joseba and Urtzi are the fourth generation.

Hondarrabi Beltza is one of the rarest red grapes in Spain. A relative of Cabernet Franc that never left the Basque hills, it produces almost nothing. Gaintza makes their rosé from an equal split of Beltza and Hondarrabi Zuri, the white grape of the region, from vines planted in 1958 on clay and limestone soils directly above the water.

The wine is fermented slowly in stainless steel over 45 days, with no malolactic conversion, bottled at zero degrees to preserve the natural spritz. The result is 11% alcohol, bone dry, and alive with red cherry, cranberry, and sea salt. Serve it cold. Pour from height if you want to release the fizz properly.