A Rias Baixas Wine Tasting

We were invited to a wine tasting featuring the Rias Baixas region. The wine tasting included an Albarino wine from Señorio de Rubios. The tasting was held at Succotash Restaurant in Oxon Hill, Maryland during spring 2017. After the delightful wine tasting, we submitted several questions to  winemaker Jorge Hervella who crafts wines at Señorio de Rubios and Bodegas As Laxas winery. He kindly responded to our numerous questions.

About Señorio de Rubios

Señorio de Rubios was founded in 2003 by 57 partners who were interested in developing and marketing wines from the Rubios area. In 2017, the winery has grown to 105 participating partners. The first wines were released in 2006. Today the winery is producing still red and white wines, sparkling and distilled products.

Señorio de Rubios is located in the Rias Baixas region of Spain. The property is close to the Miño River.

General tours of one hour and special winery/winemaking tours of two hours are available. Tours are available in Spanish, English, Galician and Portuguese. Wine enthusiasts and travelers who wish to visit the winery should request a reservation.

Location: : Bouza do Rato s / n – Rubiós, 36.449 As Neves (Pontevedra)

GPS: N 42 ° 07’12 “W 08 ° 25’49”

Responding to one of our online interview questions Jorge Hervella wrote, “We have around 250 acres (including vineyards we own and those of the growers we work with). We grow the following grape varieties: Albariño, Treixadura, Loureiro, Godello, Torrontés (white); and Sousón, Espadeiro, Caiño tinto, Mencía, Pedral and Brancellao (red). The winery’s location is perfect for growing red varieties from Rías Baixas, so we are continue to cultivate these varieties.”

Interview with Winemaker Jorge Hervella, Winemaker at Señorio de Rubios and Bodegas As Laxas

What are your most enjoyable aspects of winemaking? 

“I enjoy the whole winemaking process, but harvesting is the most special season because it’s key in the result of the wine.”

How and when did your wine journey begin? 

“It’s a family tradition. My great grandfather founded the oldest winery in Ribeiro region (and possibly the oldest in Galicia). In 1988, my father encouraged me to study winemaking in the “Escuela de la vid y el vino” (School of the vine and wine) in Madrid.”

Why did you decide to start making wine? 

“Because of my family’s history with winemaking, plus I’m from Ribadavia, the most viticultural city in Galicia.”

What do you wish you knew when you started making wine that you now know? 

“Everything that I know now. But that’s impossible because experience is key in the learning process.”

To what do you contribute your success as a winemaker? 

“Mainly, consistency and dedication. I love what I do and this is critical to achieve success.”

Albariño is a very food friendly wine. What types of foods do you like to pair with Albariño wine? 

“Albariño is a very versatile wine that you can pair with many different dishes. It’s usually paired with fish, seafood and rice. I think that due to its well-roundedness, Albariño can pair with different kinds of meat as well.”

At home we enjoy pairing Albariño wines with a variety of foods. If you need a white wine, Albariño is one of the wines to consider.

Cheers,
Kathy