Finca Viñoa - New Property from Galicia

10.31.12

Galicia is (for some, arguably and for us, definitively) today's most exciting wine region in Spain with nervy wines that posses an energy that can be lacking in other regions where the emphasis is on more extraction, higher alcohol, and aggressive oak regimens. We have had our sights set on all five of the Galician DOs (as well as Bierzo just on the other side of the mountain) since we began less that two years ago, bringing in Bodegas Valdesil from Valdeorras, Bodegas Eidosela from the Condado do Tea subregion of Rias Baixas, and now, Finca Viñoa from Ribeiro.

We were introduced to this project by a friend (which is, incidentally, how 96% of our portfolio was built - on friendships and relationships) and after our first taste, knew we were on to something special and were basically sold. Special indeed. The farm is located in the very northernmost part of the Ribeiro DO in the Avia River Valley on a series of dramatic terraces starting at 150 meters and climbing to 450 meters. The terraces themselves are breathtaking - here you will find a combination of the ancient "socalcos" as well as some slopes that required some pretty sophisticated engineering (and a lot of labor) to rebuild and stabilize them. The resulting wine, based on the indigenous Treixadura variety, is a pure, mineral expression of the granite and slate soils and freshness from the elevation.

Finca Viñoa will be available in the United States in the upcoming months - we cannot wait to share this amazing with you! We had an opportunity to taste it with Josh Raynolds from Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar who writes, “Lively aromas of orange zest, green apple, fresh pineapple and chalky minerals. Tangy and firm on the palate, with fresh orchard and citrus fruit flavors. The lingering finish is redolent of candied orange and white pepper. 90 points.” Delightful wine, press out of the gate, beautiful bottle - done and done.