In the Ribeira Sacra, vines grow on terraces and hillside vineyards shaped to adapt to the steep slopes of the territory. A spectacular landscape that is also the setting for a way of cultivating vines based on hard work, tradition and manual labour.
Discovering the heroic viticulture of the Ribeira Sacra means getting closer to one of the defining features of this destination and understanding why wine is an inseparable part of its landscape and culture.
What is heroic viticulture?
Heroic viticulture is practised in particularly challenging conditions due to the characteristics of the terrain.
In the Ribeira Sacra, vineyards are laid out on terraces and stepped plots to overcome the steep slopes, which can reach gradients of up to 100%. This configuration makes mechanisation difficult and means that much of the work in the vineyards must be carried out by hand.
Here, people are the main tools of the trade. Every task requires effort, dedication and an in-depth knowledge of the terrain. Even moving between the vines can become an exercise in balance.
It is precisely this difficulty that makes viticulture in the Ribeira Sacra such a unique experience.
A Designation of Origin wine region
The Ribeira Sacra Designation of Origin was established in 1996 to protect the origin, guarantee quality and promote its wines. Since then, viticulture has played a key role in restoring vineyards and landscapes, making wine one of the major economic and tourism drivers of the Ribeira Sacra.
The wine-growing territory is divided into five sub-zones:
- Amandi
- Chantada
- Quiroga-Bibei
- Ribeiras do Miño
- Ribeiras do Sil
Each is part of the same wine-growing territory, where vine cultivation is deeply shaped by the landscape.
Since 2011, the CERVIM has also had a specific seal identifying this type of viticulture, and the Ribeira Sacra is one of the few Spanish Designations of Origin eligible to use it.
Discover heroic viticulture during your visit
If you are thinking of travelling to the Ribeira Sacra, do not limit yourself to admiring its spectacular landscapes.
Behind every vineyard-covered hillside lies a story of hard work and adaptation. Behind every terrace is a way of working the land that has become one of the territory’s defining features.
Explore its wine-growing landscapes, discover its five sub-zones and be amazed by a way of cultivating vines that defies gravity.
Ready to discover the Ribeira Sacra?
The best way to understand heroic viticulture is to experience it up close. Embark on this 3-day route through the lands of the Ribeira Sacra Designation of Origin, explore its vineyards and discover a territory where wine and landscape come together to create a unique experience.
