Definition Algueira
The work of a life time, that of Fernando Gonzalez, who started to recuperate old vines, almost abandoned, some 25 years ago. After rebuilding the walls that protect them from erosion, he started to make wine again with them.
This heroic, extreme cultivation takes place on slopes up to 85%.
Today, Fernando owns 16 hectares on the slopes, more than 40 blocks of vines, mainly planted with red varieties. Raúl Pérez transmitted to him his wine philosophy: wine is made in the vine, with a deep respect for the territory and its identity.
History Algueira
Fernando used to be a banker, but he was not very happy with this life. So he decided to change and went for wine, to Doade, more precisely.
This is where he started to try and revive old vines. This has been going on for more than 25 years now.
Varieties
Galicia has more than 60 wine varieties. Mencia is the main grape, but is used in quite a different way than in El Bierzo. There are also extraordinary reds made with Merenzao (Jura's Trousseau), Caino, Souson and Brancellao. The style of the wine is very Burgundian.
Terroir
The most important vineyard of Algueira is Caballocovo, one of Ribeira"s most impressive vine block.
Slate soils, mainly, but also granite.
It took 20 years to put these vines back into shape. Mencia and Merenzao are planted on South facing slopes, Brancellao and Souson on North facing slopes.
Winemaking
Winemaking is very traditional here, because Fernando believes that wine is made in the vineyard.
Technology is thus never the focus point.