CASTRELO DAS PEDRAS
RIBEIRO, SPAIN
ABOUT CASTRELO DAS PEDRAS
In 2014, Hector and Pablo Durigutti acquired nine hectares of old vineyards in the tiny village of As Bouzas in Ribeiro, in the northwestern corner of Spain. Here, the Miño River cuts through a valley, creating slopes where the vineyards are planted. The vines are planted on steep terraces—locally called socalcos or bocarbeiras—in zigzag formations.
The maritime influences of the Atlantic Ocean are evident in Ribeiro, although its inland location shelters it from the brunt of Atlantic storms. This mixture of ocean and continental influences allows the grapes to fully ripen and develop a unique and floral aromatic complexity. The soils of the region consist of granite, clay and slate, providing excellent structure and reflecting sunlight onto the vines. Only native varietals are grown: Treixadura, Godello, Loureiro and Albarino in whites and Sauson, Brancellao, Mencia and Caino in reds. The vines are very old, most planted in the 1970s.
The wines are fermented and aged in 4 Italian clay cocciopestos (1000, 1700 and x2 3000 liters). This allows partial breathability and oxygen integration without imparting any flavor on the wine.
The work in the vineyard and in the winery is organic but it is not certified due to the small quantity of bottles produced. The total production of Castrelo das Pedras is less than 600 cases.
