The Rías Baixas Designation of Origin comprises a small wine-growing area in Galicia. The subzone called Ribeira do Ulla is part of it, and is where our winery Enoturismo María Manuela is located.
The tradition of wine cultivation in the regions of northwestern Spain is millenary, being passed down from generation to generation. In 1988, the Regulatory Council of the D.O. Rías Baixas was created. The geographical demarcation includes the province of Pontevedra and part of the province of A Coruña. Specifically, it is divided into five sub-zones: Val do Salnés, O Rosal, Ribeira do Ulla, Condado do Tea and Soutomaior. In this territory, of just over 4,000 hectares, there are 22,500 small estates dedicated to the cultivation of wine.
Characteristics of the Ribeira do Ulla subzone
The quality and flavour of Rías Baixas wine arises from the commitment to native varieties, traditional viticulture and the climate, which allow us to obtain wines with a marked Atlantic character. The Ribeira do Ulla subzone is one of the largest within the territories that belong to the appellation. It is also the only one that reaches the provinces of Pontevedra and A Coruña. It extends through the municipalities of Boqueixón, A Estrada, Padrón, Silleda, Teo, Touro, Vila de Cruces and Vedra. In addition, it is very close to Santiago airport, making it an ideal environment with easy access to enjoy its wines and natural landscapes, especially for people visiting Galicia from other parts of Spain.
The Ribeira do Ulla sub-zone was incorporated into the D.O. Rías Baixas in 2000, making it the most recent territory incorporated under the Regulatory Council, with interesting and innovative wines. In addition, it is the one that has grown the most in production in recent years. Currently, it represents 10% of Galician Albariño. Their wines incorporate different varieties, although they need at least 70% Albariño, Loureira, Treixadura and Caiño Blanco. The rest are varieties accepted by the Regulatory Council and produced in the area.
The origin of a genuine taste
Viñedos de Enoturismo María Manuela.
This variety of Rías Baixas D.O. wine is obtained from grapes that grow in plots where the Albariño variety coexists with other agricultural products. The geographical demarcation is, after the sub-area of Soutomaior, the one with the lowest rate of plots per winegrower. As in the rest of Galicia, the smallholdings dominate, the usual system of agrarian property in the community. For this reason, it is common to find small vineyards surrounded by other crops and even pastures for food for local cattle farming.
Albariño grapes grow in granitic and sandy soils. As for the trellis system, it focuses on seeking the greatest sun exposure of the grapes, to increase the quality of the wines and reduce the risk of vine diseases. The D.O. Rías Baixas is the traditional system of cultivation at high altitude, although, recently, the trellis system has been valued, with less dense foliage and a simpler process.
On the other hand, a peculiarity of the subzone with respect to other Albariños has to do with the climate, with greater thermal oscillations. In addition, the grapes are far from the coast, unlike what happens in other territories of the appellation. As the vines are at a higher altitude, the wines acquire fresh and fruity flavours. And, to avoid the prejudices of spring frosts linked to altitude, some winegrowers use towers with blades that circulate air to the ground, preventing the frost from adhering to the soil.
The culture of wine tourism
On the other hand, Rías Baixas wine is closely linked to wine tourism. In particular, in this sub-area, the culture of wine and Galician gastronomy converge with the world of pilgrimages and the Xacobean route. Specifically, the María Manuela winery is close to the city of Santiago. This proximity allows pilgrims and tourists to enjoy its cultural heritage from a unique accommodation in the middle of nature, between forests and vineyards.
In addition, the Albariño wine of Ulla has its own exaltation festival, which is held in April, and nature routes dedicated to highlighting the value of the growing environment. This is the case of the Ulla Riverside Route, PR-G 93, with a 15 km route, which runs through forests and watercourses.
María Manuela wine
The María Manuela winery is located within the framework of the D.O. Rías Baixas, specifically in the sub-area of the Ribeira del Ulla. It produces an Albariño of exceptional quality and limited production, in which the protagonists are the climate and the characteristics of the soil. It is a single-vineyard wine that stands out for its great personality and transmits the essence of the property.
This white wine not only reflects the contributions of the soil and the climatic year, but also the values of our wine tourism project. With our winery integrated into the land and the cabins in the trees, we have allowed us to preserve a native oak forest. All this is an added value that we try to reflect with the image of the bottle and all its packaging.
The flavour is balanced and enveloping, with fresh aromas, moderate acidity and a resounding finish. With an alcohol content of around 13.5 degrees and a 100% Albariño grape variety, we make our wine in stainless steel. After seven months of maturation, it acquires golden hues with bright sparkles. The primary nose gives off aromas of citrus and stone fruits, allowing more complex and deeper aromas to emerge. And on the palate it is emphatic, with a great breadth and deep finish.
You can get to know it better through its tasting sheet, although, without a doubt, it is best to try it. Visit our online store!
You can also find it in specialized and gourmet establishments.