Bierzo: A New Take on Mountain Mencía

The Spanish region of Bierzo spent years in the shadows, but today it is hailed as the peninsula's most exciting discovery. Here, where cool Galicia meets hot Castile, old Mencía vines yield elegant red wines with a distinct mountain character.

What is D.O. Bierzo

An appellation in northwestern Spain that has made a qualitative leap over the last twenty years.

Terroir on the Border of Climate Zones

D.O. Bierzo is situated in a natural basin surrounded by mountains. This location shields the vineyards from harsh Atlantic storms and protects them from the extreme heat of the central Meseta. The result is a mild microclimate with moderate rainfall and ample sunshine.

The region's flagship variety is the red Mencía, accounting for over 70% of plantings. Local wines feature a medium body, high acidity, soft tannins, and expressive aromas of wild berries, violets, and wet stone. Due to their elegance, the finest examples from Bierzo are often compared to the wines of Burgundy.

Four Pillars of Bierzo Terroir

01

Old vines

Most vineyards were planted over 60–80 years ago as low bush vines.

Old vines
02

Slate soils

Slate dominates the steep slopes, giving the wines a structured backbone.

Slate soils
03

High altitude

Vineyards sit at up to 1,000 meters, preserving the freshness of the grapes.

High altitude
04

Oceanic influence

Proximity to the Atlantic ensures cool nights and slow ripening.

Oceanic influence

Extreme Viticulture: Mountain Slope Winemaking

Most of Bierzo's old vineyards are located on steep hillsides where the incline rules out machinery. All work is done by hand. The low yields of these ancient bush vines—producing no more than one kilogram of grapes per vine—are compensated for by the high concentration of the must.

The root systems of these century-old vines reach deep into the stony soil in search of moisture. This protects the plants from drought and ensures steady ripening.

The resulting wines are multi-layered, showing a fine balance of ripe fruit and mineral nuances. It is these hard-to-reach plots that define the elite of Bierzo winemaking.

The New Classification: From Region to Vineyard

In 2017, Bierzo adopted a Burgundy-style classification, categorizing wines by their origin.

Valtuille de Abajo: Clay Soils

The historic zone of Valtuille is characterized by gentler slopes and clay soils. Wines from here are round, juicy, with ripe dark berry notes and a soft texture.

Corullón: Slate Altitudes

The vineyards of Corullón are located on steep slopes at altitudes of up to 900 meters. Slate dominates here, and the cool climate yields wines with high acidity, firm tannins, and deep aromas of graphite and spices.

Village and Single-Vineyard Wines

The new system highlights the categories of Vino de Villa (village wines) and Vino de Paraje (single-vineyard wines). At the top of the pyramid are Paraje Clasificado and Gran Paraje Clasificado—the equivalents of Premier and Grand Cru.

Discover Mountain Mencía

Our collection features both classic village wines from Bierzo and rare old-vine releases from the region's leading winemakers. Explore our catalog to find your perfect bottle.

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