Ribeiros do Avia

Individually the wine growers were struggling against larger producers but as a single unit their brand stood out amongst the competition. Beginning in the late 1970s they aspired to increase their profile and profits, whilst staying true to their quality and authenticity.

There are four members in this group, Casai de Arman, Coto de Gomariz, Allala and Villa Vinoa. Together they work to five set principles, which they hope will make them successful. The quality of their land is paramount, using soils which have acclimatized to the microclimate in the Ribeiro and subsequently full of the best minerals and nutrients needed by the crop. Secondly this is about family run businesses. All of them were run out of town by the large corporations selling wine cheaply, but together they hope that they can keep it local.

They also believe in the combination of new and old, respecting the plants from the moment they are seedlings and using all their knowledge to ensure a well-nurtured vineyard. Finally they all have to be located in the valley of the Avia, a point of unification in the group that means they are unique.

Given all these points of similarity, you perhaps would expect the wines to be similar in flavour or taste. However each winery continues to bring its own experience for the drinker, with a common goal but producing different end products.