“One of the best pairings for the Spanish delicacy Jamón Ibérico is a refreshing, crisp white wine like our 2023 Albariño or a vibrant red like our 2020 Tempranillo. Both offer a bright, refreshing contrast to the rich, savory flavors of the Jamon”
Sylvie Tannhauser,
Hospitality Manager,DipWSET
Authentic Spanish Gourmet Experiences to Enjoy with Artesa Wines
At Artesa, we believe great wine and great food are meant to be shared. Inspired by our Spanish roots and Napa Valley lifestyle, this collection explores the authentic flavors, traditions, and wine pairings that have shaped Spanish cuisine, bringing together stories, inspiration, and experiences designed for gathering around the table.
From artisanal Jamón Ibérico and Manchego cheese to traditional Spanish paella, discover the craftsmanship, hospitality, and Mediterranean spirit that have made these iconic flavors an essential part of Spain’s culinary heritage, and learn how they pair beautifully with Artesa wines.
Whether you are hosting a wine pairing dinner, planning a Spanish-inspired gathering, or creating a memorable evening at home, explore timeless pairing ideas, culinary traditions, and our Paella Kits, thoughtfully curated to bring the spirit of Spain to your table.
Artesa Paella Kit- Medium
Artesa Paella Kit-Small
PAELLA
A Taste of Spain, Made to Share
Paella is one of Spain’s most iconic dishes, rooted in generations of culinary tradition and Mediterranean hospitality. Originally from Valencia, paella has long been enjoyed as a shared experience centered around the table, bringing together bold flavors, simple ingredients, and the ritual of cooking together.
Our Paella Kits make it easy to recreate this authentic Spanish experience at home with thoughtfully selected ingredients imported directly from Spain. Just add your favorite protein, follow a few simple steps, and enjoy a traditional paella inspired by the flavors of the Spanish coast.
Artesa Paella Kit- Medium
Artesa Paella Kit- Small
Authentic Spanish Ingredients
Every ingredient inside our Paella Kits has been thoughtfully selected to reflect the authentic flavors and traditions of Spanish cooking. From specialty Bomba rice prized for its ability to absorb flavor while maintaining its texture, to traditional paella seasonings, rich pisto sauce, and premium olive oil imported from Spain, each element plays an essential role in creating a balanced and flavorful paella experience.
Carefully curated and easy to prepare, these ingredients bring the character of a classic Spanish paella into your home while making the cooking process approachable for both first time cooks and longtime food lovers.
Designed For The Table
In Spain, paella is more than a dish. It is a tradition centered around gathering, conversation, and sharing a meal together. Traditionally served directly from the pan and enjoyed family style, paella brings people naturally around the table and encourages a slower, more connected dining experience.
Whether preparing a cozy dinner for two or hosting friends for an evening of wine and Spanish inspired cuisine, our Paella Kits invite you to recreate the warmth and hospitality of Mediterranean dining at home.
A Pan That Stays With You
Each kit includes a reusable stainless steel paella pan designed to be enjoyed long after your first paella night. Durable, versatile, and easy to use, it becomes part of the experience itself and an invitation to continue exploring Spanish cooking at home.
If your first paella becomes a new favorite tradition, your pan is ready for future recipes, shared meals, and memorable gatherings still to come.
Paella pairings
“The bright acidity and citrus notes of Albariño bring freshness to every bite, while Tempranillo adds depth and structure that beautifully complement the rich, savory flavors of paella.”
Paula Borgo
Winemaker Director
JAMON IBERICO
A jewel in Spanish gastronomy
Iberian Ham is renowned worldwide for its delicate texture, rich flavor, and artisanal curing methods passed down through generations.
Beneath the century-old holm oaks of the Spanish dehesa, Iberian pigs roam freely, feeding on acorns during the montanera season. This natural diet, combined with the animals’ daily journeys of up to 14 kilometers, creates a marbling of delicate, healthy fats rich in antioxidants. The result is Jamón Ibérico Reserva, a masterpiece of patience and tradition, cured slowly in natural cellars until it reaches the perfect balance of aroma, flavor, and texture.
The origin of our flavor
In the heart of Salamanca, in the town of Los Santos (Guijuelo), one of the most emblematic products of Spanish gastronomy is born: Iberian ham. Raised freely in the Dehesa, a unique ecosystem filled with centuries-old holm and cork oaks, our producer’s Iberian pigs roam up to 14 km daily during the montanera in search of their most prized food: acorns.
The Dehesa is not just pastureland—it is a living landscape, carefully balanced over centuries, where oaks provide shade, biodiversity, and, most importantly, the acorns that define the Iberian ham’s extraordinary flavor. During the montanera season, pigs build strong bones and powerful muscles through constant movement, which translates into the rich texture and complexity of the meat.
The acorn-rich diet, abundant in monounsaturated fats similar to those in olive oil, enhances the marbling and delivers both an unmistakable taste and remarkable health benefits. These acorns are also rich in vitamin E and antioxidants, contributing to the well-being of those who enjoy the final product.
The craft behind each ham
The journey begins with the salazón process, where each ham receives a light massage with curing salts before being carefully buried in sea salt at controlled temperatures. This stage is essential: the salt naturally draws out excess moisture, preserves the meat, and begins shaping the distinctive flavor. The length of time each piece rests in salt depends on its weight, ensuring perfect balance.
Once complete, the hams are gently washed to remove any excess salt, leaving only what has penetrated deep into the meat. From there, only the finest pieces—judged by strict standards of health, fat content, and weight—are selected. These are then trimmed and molded, not only for aesthetics but also to guarantee that every ham cures evenly during the long aging process.
Aging with time and tradition
Following the initial curing, the hams enter the post-salado phase, where the salt continues to distribute uniformly through the meat while water evaporates slowly and naturally. This stage takes place in cool, humid cellars, where even the development of natural surface flora plays a role in the unique maturation process.
The hams then move to the secadero, or drying rooms, where temperatures rise and humidity gradually falls, allowing the flavors to deepen and concentrate over months and years.
Before reaching the consumer, each piece undergoes a traditional cala test—an expert uses a small bone tool to check the aroma inside the ham, ensuring no imperfections are present. This final step, rooted in centuries of artisanal know-how, guarantees that every ham delivers the purest expression of Iberian tradition.
Jamón Ibérico pairings
“Jamón Ibérico, Spain’s finest, with its rich and complex flavors matured to perfection—just like our Artesa wines—creates an unforgettable gourmet experience celebrating the art of Spanish cuisine and Napa Valley wines.”
Paula Borgo
Winemaker Director
queso MANCHEGO dOP
Centuries of tradition in every bite
From the endless plains of Castilla-La Mancha, birthplace of Don Quixote, comes another icon of our gastronomic culture: Manchego cheese DOP Made exclusively from milk of the Manchega sheep breed, this cheese has roots in a millennia-old tradition that has remained intact through the centuries.
Its unmistakable flavor—intense, slightly salty, with hints of nuts—varies according to aging time, but always preserves the essence of its origin. The extreme climate of La Mancha, with cold winters and dry summers, along with sheep grazing on these lands, gives Manchego its unique character, recognized worldwide.
The land of La Mancha and the DOP seal
Manchego cheese is born in La Mancha, a vast plateau in central Spain where sun, wind, and history have shaped both the land and its people. This is the same region immortalized by Cervantes in Don Quixote, dotted with white windmills and endless golden plains. Here, for centuries, shepherds have raised Manchega sheep, a hardy native breed that thrives in the dry climate and rugged terrain. Their milk, rich and aromatic, is the soul of Manchego cheese.
What makes this cheese truly special is its Protected Designation of Origin (DOP). This European certification ensures that only cheese made in La Mancha, exclusively with milk from Manchega sheep and following strict traditional methods, can carry the name Manchego. The DOP not only protects authenticity, preventing imitations, but also guarantees the highest quality standards. It is a mark of heritage and craftsmanship, linking each wheel of Manchego directly to its birthplace and centuries-old know-how.
From milk to masterpiece
Manchego is a pressed-curd cheese crafted with precision and patience. The process begins with the careful milking of Manchega sheep, followed by coagulation and molding that imprint the cheese’s characteristic basket-weave rind and floral top. Each wheel is salted—either in brine or with dry salt—to enhance preservation and flavor before being left to mature under controlled temperature and humidity. Depending on its aging, Manchego ranges from young and supple at 60 days to intense and crumbly after two years.
The result is unmistakable: a firm yet creamy texture, ivory in color, with small irregular holes scattered throughout. Its flavor evolves with time—from buttery and mild in younger cheeses to nutty, sharp, and complex in aged ones.
Beyond taste, Manchego is rich in protein, vitamins A, D, and E, and essential minerals, making it both a gourmet delicacy and a nutritious choice. Every bite carries the essence of La Mancha’s landscape, its people, and its traditions, making Manchego not just a cheese, but a true symbol of Spain.
Queso Manchego pairings
“Spain’s Manchego cheese, protected by Denomination of Origin, reveals a flavor that deepens with age, creating a timeless gourmet experience when paired with a glass of our perfectly aged Artesa Tempranillo 2020 or Artesa Tradició 2019.”
Paula Borgo
Winemaker Director
“Manchego cheese has gained worldwide recognition, making Spain’s La Mancha region famous far beyond its borders,” says our Business Director. “Crafted from the milk of native Manchega sheep, this rich and nutty cheese offers endless pairing opportunities and can be used in a wide variety of delicious recipes—bringing the authentic flavors of Spain to tables around the world.””
Marta Echevarri,
Business Director Artesa
Experience Spanish flavors at Artesa
At Artesa, our gourmet selection goes beyond the table. Join us for exclusive tastings and events where Iberian ham, Manchego cheese, and our signature wines come together, offering a deeper connection with Spanish gastronomy and Napa Valley hospitality.
El Jardín Español
- Parties of 1 to 7
- $150 per participant
Step into an authentic Spanish courtyard surrounded by lush Mediterranean gardens. This experience celebrates our heritage with a curated flight of wines from Spain’s renowned varietals, paired with gourmet delicacies sourced directly from the region.
This experience includes 5 Iberian wines + a selection of regional pairings.
* 7.75% sales tax not included.