Augalevada, Crianza Bioloxica, 2021

Stone Fruit, Citrus, Textured

Galicia / White / Albariño / Biodynamic

This year the 'crianza biolóxica' (ageing under flor) comes from Parcela Eiravedra, a single vineyard in Rías Baixas (Val do Salnés) – Iago gets the grapes thanks to his well-connected friend Xurxo Alba (Albamar). Fermentation in stainless steel, transfer into 500ltr and 600ltr barrels in which Iago adds 5% of wine from 'la madre' – a buried tinaja under a thick layer of flor started off in 2011. A 12 month ageing under flor follows. Stunning wine reminiscent of the fine sous voile wines of Jura.

Notes on the producer

Augalevada was created in 2009 and takes its name from a stream passing right through the middle of the farm. Iago fell in love with an abandoned slope, tucked in a valley, behind the ancient Monasterio de San Clodio. He purchased just over 4ha, built a winery on-site and planted 2.5ha of vines, spread over the granitic terraces, struggling against an invading forest. Having studied agricultural engineering, Iago became fascinated with permaculture at a young age and Augalevada is the first biodynamic certified (Demeter) winery in the history of Ribeiro; Galician cows chew on the lush grass, chickens roam through the vines while diverse orchard trees and a vegetable patch feed the Garrido family. Iago built his cellar digging into the granitic hill over three floors allowing for gravity during winemaking. He ages his wines in 500ltr and 600ltr barrels as well as tinajas made by the master Juan Padilla (Villarrobledo), buried underground in the cellar basement, each amphora and barrique develop its flor and brings out different traits to the wines. SO2 is only added at bottling reaching a low 20-25mg/l total.