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 The DO vineyards are situated in the foothills of the mountains running down to the sea in Guipuzcoa (Gipuzkoa), the Basque Country’s northwesterly province, which borders on to France. Most of the vineyards are clustered around Guetaria (76%) and Zarautz (22%), fishing ports to the west of provincial capital Donostia-San Sebastian. Another 2% are cultivated around the town of Aya (Aia).
Vineyards are close enough to the coast to escape frost and the worst summer sun, but must be located on south-eastern slopes for protection from sea breezes and to receive longer sunlight hours. They are generally planted on steep slopes, although these are not always terraced, so the harvest can be genuinely dizzying. The vines are either guided by wires or hang over mounds of earth. Altitudes range from 10-100 metres with a good deal of clay under light, sandy topsoil known as arenisca.
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