The beekeeping couple Nagore Dorronsoro and Julián Villena, the force behind the Zortziko honey brand, have spent over twenty years caring for bees and producing honey. Their venture began during a trip to Australia, where they were captivated by a giant wild beehive. This experience, combined with a strong desire to learn, propelled them into the world of beekeeping, despite having no prior experience.

After a modest start with two hives in Lastur, the couple expanded their knowledge and the number of their hives. Currently, they manage dozens of hives distributed across rented lands in Deba, Mendaro, and Elgoibar. Bee activity, especially in spring, is entirely dependent on weather conditions, which directly impacts nectar collection and, consequently, honey production.

In Debabarrena, multifloral honey is predominant due to the diversity of local flowers. However, obtaining monofloral honeys is more complex due to the variable climate of the Basque Country, which requires taking advantage of an intensive bloom of a single species. The main threats to bees are the varroa mite and the Asian hornet, the latter having caused the loss of numerous hives. To combat this, they practice transhumance, moving their hives to higher inland areas such as Burgos, Treviño, and La Rioja during periods of peak hornet activity.

Hive transfers are carried out at night when the bees are inside, involving hundreds of kilometers of travel. This transhumance also allows them to expand their honey offerings, as inland areas provide different blooms that result in honeys with distinct flavor nuances, such as heather honey. In addition to honey, Zortziko also markets propolis, another beneficial bee product with antiseptic and antifungal properties, effective for respiratory and throat ailments.