Ribadavia and ancestral grapes drive Galician wine heritage

The medieval town of Ribadavia, located in the O Ribeiro region of Galicia, is emerging as a significant center for cultural and gastronomic tourism. Historically serving as the capital of the Kingdom of Galicia between 1065 and 1071, the town features a historic center with Gothic churches, a castle, and a Sephardic heritage that attracts travelers interested in history and wine.

In tandem with the region's viticultural importance, the firm Xadigal is working to preserve Galicia's olfactory heritage by recovering ancestral grape varieties. Sommelier Daniel Marín is leading efforts to utilize varieties such as Brancellao, Bastardo, Caíño, Monstruosa de Monterrei, Verdello Antiguo, and Dona Blanca. These grapes, which were often sidelined by modern enology due to low yields and cultivation difficulties, are being reintroduced to restore the historical aromatic profiles of wines from the Ourense region.