Bodegas Y Viñedos Castro Ventosa

Castro Ventosa lies in Bierzo in the province of Castilla y León in the northwest of Spain. This lush, fertile valley is surrounded by mountains and Mencía is the star here, a red grape once thought to be related to Cabernet Franc. This has been disproved, but there are stylistic similarities and Mencía makes distinctively delicious, perfumed red wines. None more so than the wines of Castro Ventosa. The estate has been part of the illustrious Perez family since 1752 and is currently in the hands of talented winemaker, Raul Perez. His winery lies at the foot of an ancient Roman fort, Valtuille de Abajo, and some of his vines line this hillside promontory which gives the winery its name - Castro Ventoso means ‘windy castle.’ He farms 75 hectares in total, from which he produces his range of five wines. Raul’s flagship wine Valtuille is made from five parcels of vines which grow on the only sandy soil found in Bierzo and has been well-received by critics like Robert Parker. Thanks to Raul’s dedicated work in the vineyard and a conscientious approach to his winemaking, his wines offer a wonderful introduction to this underrated, but undisputedly delicious, grape variety.