Pazo de La Cuesta, the oldest family winery in Galicia, located in San Clodio de Ribas de Sil, has just won its first awards in a national wine competition. In this case, it is the well-known VinEspaña contest, which, in its sixth edition held in the Murcian town of Jumilla, has awarded five references of the winery from Lugo.
Godello 2023, the first vintage elaborated by the new technical director and winemaker of the winery, Luis Buitrón, has won a gold medal, the highest distinction of this wine meeting. It is also the only Godello from Ribeira Sacra to receive this award. The same reference, but in its 2022 vintage, has obtained a gold medal. Gold medals were also won by the mencía 2022; and the multi-varietal Brancas 2022 and 2023, the latter also being the first vintage of this wine produced by Buitrón at Pazo de La Cuesta.
“We are working very well and making very special and unique wines, and this has been reflected in the results of this first competition we have entered. Truly, there is no greater pride than to have our work recognized. Four golds and a great gold. Our satisfaction is maximum, it is more than we could have imagined for this first time. We have formed a great team, with great professionals: wine lovers and lovers of the pazo and the estate. The love put into each wine is reflected in its passage through the bottle. We are very excited. Now we have to continue working and offering the best of ourselves and the good things that this historic land gives us”, said the general manager of Pazo de La Cuesta, Jesús Álvarez.
This national wine contest, organized by the Spanish Federation of Oenology Associations, aims to highlight the work of winemakers. VinEspaña counts on the participation of around 500 samples, among which the best wines of the country are chosen. The jury is formed by a tasting panel of experts, mostly the most relevant winemakers of the national territory, specialized journalists, and other wine professionals, making VinEspaña one of the most prestigious and recognized national competitions.
PAZO DE LA CUESTA: THE OLDEST FAMILY WINERY IN GALICIA
Since 2020, Pazo de La Cuesta, located in Ribas de Sil, has been immersed in a renovation and recovery project of its historic vineyard and the restoration of the primitive 16th-century winery. The oldest family winery in Galicia has belonged to the same family since its foundation and it has been Manuel Bellod Álvarez de Lorenzana, who is part of the fourteenth generation, the one in charge of starting this initiative assuming the commitment to return the prestige of yesteryear to the pazo, its vineyard and its wines.
