Ribeira Sacra, Galicia– One of the most stunning landscapes in Spain is located in the heart of Galicia, in an area known as the Ribeira Sacra (Sacred Banks). It is known for exceptional cool-climate Mencia and Godello from small family farms. Ramón Losada and his family that utilizes the family’s old vineyards of Mencia in this ancient wine-growing region to produce the wines of D. Ventura. Ever since the Romans inhabited the area, people have been growing grapes on the steep terraces lining the two rivers that form the denomination. Working these lands is extremely difficult; as the terraces in some areas are so steep that the grapes have to be brought in on a dumb waiter. All farming is done by hand, organically. There are currently three vineyard sites. Two border the river Sil and one borders the Miño River. Caneiro and Pena do Lobo are in the important Amandi subzone. The soils are a mix of slate and granite. Viña do Burato is in a totally different area on the Miño River, north of the other two plots. Here the landscape is lush and cooler on mixed alluvial soil. Each plot’s unique climate creates a distinct wine and the wines are all vinified in stainless steel to highlight the differences of these 100% Mencia wines.
- Viñas do Burato Ribeira Sacra
- Viña Caneiro Ribeira Sacra Mencía