Viña Mein - Emilio Rojo

Emilio Rojo is probably the single most important name to put Ribeiro on the modern winemaking map. Originally an engineer, he began to recover traditional grape varieties in the Avia River Valley, farming a little over a hectare which was historically part of the monastery of San Clodio. Vines are grown on terraced slopes with stone walls known as socalcos. In 1988, businessman Javier Alén bought the Meín vineyard in the village of Leiro and began to replant and recover varieties like Treixadura, eventually expanding to control 18 hectares divided into 14 plots which stretch along the left bank of the Avia River valley. In July 2019, Ribera del Duero-based winery group Alma Carraovejas purchased both Viña Meín and Emilio Rojo, with Laura Montero taking over as winemaker but Emilio Rojo staying on to consult as part of the deal. Carraovejas has reduced the combined project’s range to red and white Viña Meín cuvées and the single-vineyard Emilio Rojo as the top wine.