Our Wine
Valdeorras Wine Route
The Valdeorras Wine Route is a journey through a land of contrasts. Here, the Sil River, the soul and guide of the landscape, winds through valleys carved in slate, granite, and clay. Over reddish soils that preserve the traces of a gold-mining past. Two thousand years ago, Roman legions extracted gold from these slopes, unaware that the true treasure of Valdeorras would one day spring from its heroic vineyards.
Today, that same river that captivated the Romans regulates the microclimate of the covas, natural underground wineries where wines reach their perfect maturity. Slate and granite, omnipresent in walls, roofs, and soils, not only define the aesthetic of the territory, but also imprint their distinctive essence in every bottle, with a vibrant minerality that sets Valdeorras wines apart.
A territory with a millennial soul
Valdeorras is, and has always been, a crossroads of paths and cultures. To the east, the Via Nova, an ancient Roman road that connected Astorga with Braga, continues to set the rhythm of a territory that once served as a mining axis of the Empire. But the Romans did not only extract gold from these lands: they planted the first vines and carved rock wine presses, many of which still remain alive in the landscape.
This route invites visitors to lose themselves in a living landscape, where wine acts as the common thread linking medieval hermitages, heroic vineyards, and markets that celebrate timeless flavors. Products such as olive oil, cured meats, chestnuts, and artisanal cheeses complete a sensory experience that unites past and present.
A legacy of wine and tradition
Recognized as a Designation of Origin since 1945, Valdeorras is one of the oldest and most prestigious wine-producing areas in Galicia, although its history dates back to Roman times, when settlers planted the first vines and carved presses into the rock. Its Mediterranean-Atlantic microclimate, tempered by the breezes of the Sil River and the valleys of the Xares and Bibei rivers, creates ideal conditions for vineyards that express the concept of terroir with singular purity.
The ancestral wisdom embodied by aging in covas merges with modern techniques in wineries that have made Godello one of Spain’s most prestigious white wines and Mencía the red emblem of the region.
Valdeorras wines: varieties and characteristics
In Valdeorras, single-varietal wines express the soul of their territory with purity. Godello, the white jewel of the region, stands out for its fruity aromas with citrus and floral notes, its straw-yellow color with golden reflections, and an elegant structure on the palate where freshness and volume coexist. Its excellent maturation on slate soils gives it a distinctive minerality and an aging potential that places it among the most prestigious white wines in Spain.
In reds, Mencía reveals an intense cherry color with purple reflections, aromas of wild red fruits (raspberry, currant), and a delicate floral nuance. On the palate, it shows a perfect balance between alcohol and acidity, with silky tannins and a persistent aftertaste that evokes the mineral essence of the terroir. In addition, Valdeorras produces intriguing coupages with Garnacha Tintorera and other authorized varieties, which add greater aromatic complexity and volume, demonstrating the versatility of a region where tradition and innovation converge in every bottle.
The wines that define Valdeorras
Valdeorras stands out for its commitment to authenticity and quality, a commitment reflected in its emblematic wines:
Godello
A single-varietal white wine that, according to the regulations of the Valdeorras D.O., must be produced exclusively from this grape. Its wines, ranging from golden to straw tones, stand out for their fruity aromas, vibrant freshness, and elegant structure, positioning it as one of the most highly valued white wines in Galicia.
Mencía
An intense and aromatic red wine, produced with a minimum of 85% of this variety. Purple in color with a persistent aftertaste, it expresses the essence of slate soils and the climate of the region.
Noble white varieties
In addition to Godello, wines are produced with preferred varieties such as Loureira, Treixadura, and Dona Branca, which contribute floral and fruity nuances. Moreover, all of these are noble-variety wines.
Noble red varieties
The “noble red varieties” of Valdeorras are high-quality native grapes, essential for producing the most distinctive and highly regarded red wines of the region.
Coupage and exploration
“Valdeorras Blanco” and “Valdeorras Tinto” allow combinations with authorized varieties, broadening the range of styles and flavors.
Wine Tourism Galicia
The Valdeorras Wine Route is part of Wine Tourism Galicia, a strategic initiative created four years ago with the support of the Galicia Tourism Cluster. This platform unifies and promotes the five Wine Routes of Galicia and brings together the wine and gastronomic offer of the four provinces under a single brand that goes beyond the simple visit to wineries.
The project structures a comprehensive network where certified wineries, character-filled accommodations, active leisure companies, specialized guides, and rural tourism proposals coexist, all united by a common thread: wine as a gateway to Galician culture. Visitors enjoy experiences ranging from technical tastings and vineyard tours to traditional meals in unique settings, always backed by the Designations of Origin that guarantee authenticity and exceptional quality.
