Do Ferreiro Albariño '23

Do Ferreiro begins with a bit of Galician serendipity: in 1973, Gerardo Méndez bought a house that came with a tiny 1.5-hectare plot of vines. Planted in decomposed granite and sand, facing the Atlantic, those ancient plants had escaped phylloxera—today forming the basis of the legendary “Cepas Vellas,” one of Spain’s great white wines. Over time Gerardo expanded the estate and built deep relationships with growers, and the family now works an extraordinary mosaic of 175 plots across the Val do Salnés, all farmed with an intimate understanding of this cool, maritime corner of Rías Baixas. Since 2013, Gerardo’s son Manuel (“Manu”) Méndez has led the winemaking, alongside his sister Encarna—an essential partner when so many parcels converge into a single, coherent vision.

The Do Ferreiro Albariño is the winery’s calling card: a blend from across the Salnés Valley that, in many ways, defines their style. The vines range from 20 to well over 120 years old, rooted in sábrego (decomposed granite and sandy soils) that naturally emphasizes clarity and drive. Fermentation proceeds with native yeasts, sparked by a pied de cuve from the historic Cepas Vellas vineyard, and the wine rests on fine lees for six to nine months in stainless steel (no bâtonnage), building texture without sacrificing freshness. The result is so balanced and complete that it’s not just a seafood dream—it’s also a bottle with the stuffing to age gracefully for a decade or more.