The history of viticulture and winemaking in Valdeorras dates to the Roman times. It is woven into the culture of the people and hills of the region. But the topography is extremely challenging and many of the vineyards are on very steep slopes that need to be worked by hand. This is grueling work. In the 1960s, as slate mines proliferated in the area, many people abandoned their vineyards and took to mining rather than farming. The hardest to work vineyards were the first to be abandoned and the last to be reclaimed by the modern bodegas of the region. But as more people realize the potential of the area, some winegrowers are searching out these challenging, abandoned vineyards.

One such person is María Teresa López Fidalgo. She grew up in the region and knows the hills and valleys intimately. Her knowledge of the area allowed her to find small pockets of superbly positioned, 100-year-old vines in out-of-the way places. In 2015 she and her two partners purchased their first small plots of vines in a valley separated by the river Casoio, a small tributary of the river Sil. Today they have 3 HA of vines spread over 44 plots. Interestingly, they have vines on both sides of the river on opposite aspects. In Viladequinta, on the north side of the river, they have vines at 700 to 800 meters on a northeast facing aspect. In Caballeda, on the south side of the river, they have vines at 600 meters on varied aspects. All the vines are on slate and were planted from 1918 to 1929 and nearly all were neglected or abandoned before being taken over by this project. Farming is organic in all sites.

This is a true passion project from people who know and love the Valdeorras region. It is wonderful to see new life breathed into this area and to hear these old vines and ancient hills speak again.

This is from high elevation vineyards around Carballeda. Vines planted between 1919 and 1929 on steep slopes at 600 meters elevation. The Godello is interplanted with red varieties on pure slate soils.

The wine perfectly represents the place. It has beauty and elegance to it but also power and intensity. A subtle, almost ethereal nose gives way to a focused, laser beam acidity and impressive length on the palate. With air, the mid-palate broadens and comes into perfect balance with the youthful energy.

+ Technical Details

VARIETIES: Godello
VINEYARDS: 100 year old vines in bush-trained, field-blended vineyards. Slate soils. Elevation around 600 meters. These are mountain vineyards that had been neglected or abandoned.
FARMING: Organic
WINEMAKING: Hand harvested. 48 hours skin contact. Native yeast fermentation in old 500 liter barresl. Aging in same barrels for 12 months