Wine Tourism
Wine is the hallmark of the Ribeira Sacra. Production of this beverage, alongside vine growing, was introduced to this region over 2,000 years ago by the Roman colonisers. Later, Christian monks took over this activity and, nowadays, wine-making continues to be the area’s economic driving force.
The Ribeira Sacra Designation of Origin was created in 1997 and encompasses a surface area of over 1,500 hectares of vineyards, accounting for 5% of Galicia’s total wine-producing land. The Ribeira Sacra is divided into five wine-growing sub-areas: Chantada, Ribeira do Miño (Banks of the Miño), Amandi, Ribeira do Sil (Banks of the Sil) and Quiroga Bibei.
Mencía, Brancellao and Merenzao varieties are used for red wines, and Godello, Albariño and Treixadura grape varieties are used to make white wine. They are mainly young wines, but some aged red wines are also produced.
Ribeira Sacra is a paradise just waiting for wine-lovers, who can take guided tours of wineries, sample wines and learn about vinification techniques. Other options, such as the Monforte de Lemos Wine Museum or the Viñobus, also provide us with access to this world.
