Bodegas Gancedo

Originally founded in 2001 by husband and wife, Ginés Fernández and Juani Gancedo, with just 4 ha and a further 4 rented. However in 2017, after investment from José Cereijo and Luis Lopez, it really took off. José, a qualified mine engineer who had worked all over the world before returning to his native Bierzo, is today the driving force of the estate. The investment included buying an entire valley in order to farm the whole estate organically. Today they have 80 ha, about 60 of which are currently in production and of these, 20 ha are young vines whose grapes are sold elsewhere. There are over 60 different plots of 60 to 100 year old vines, all grown between 500 and 650 metres above sea level on loamy soils with quartz sand. Sustainability is important at this estate with the vineyards being certified organic. The winery too has been updated with sustainability at its heart and solar panels providing all their power needs. José is helped by winemaker Nacho Alvarez. The winemaking is modern with the Godello being fermented in stainless steel tanks and concrete eggs then left on the lees for four months, while the Mencía is fermented in open tanks then aged and taken through malo in French oak barrels.