One of the most stunning landscapes in Spain is located in the heart of
Galiciain an area known as the Ribeira Sacra (Sacred Banks). Near the stunning Mino river in Galicia comes this breathtaking wine made from the Mencia grape. With an intense nose of pomegranate, red currant and mineral. The Vina Do Burato is an exemplary, delicious and eminently drinkable young Ribeira Sacra with loads of flavor and not a touch of oak.
D. Ventura is a new project by Ramón Losada and his family utilizing
old family holdings in this ancient wine growing region. 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 all the grapes have to be brought in on a dumb waiter. All
farming is done by hand and Ramón, with the help of Gerardo Mendez (Do
Ferreiro), changed the farming techniques to incorporate a more natural
approach.
In addition to an organic approach to farming,
winemaking has also changed. Only indigenous yeast is used to start
fermentation. None of the wines are filtered or cold stabilized.
Lastly, the maturation of the grapes is watched carefully to insure
that the grapes are fully mature when harvested.
There
are currently three vineyard sites. Two border the River Sil and one
borders the Miño River. Caneiro and Pena do Lobo are in an area known
as Amandi. This area has been famous throughout time as being one of
the best sites for making wines. Caneiro in particular is unique. Steep
terraces line the river. The soil here is pure slate known as Losa. The
river here adds a sweet freshness to this plot, cooling it during the
heat of the day. Pena do Lobo is also on the Sil but the vineyard is
less steep and is slighty further from the river. The soils are a mix
of slate and granite. Viña do Burato is in a totally different area
north of the other two on the Miño River. Here the landscape is lush.
Streams flow directly through the vineyard on the way down to the river
Miño. The soils here are more fertile and alluvial. All three of these
plots have unique climates that create distinct wines.