Adegas Maleiga

After a career in Vigo, Wenceslao Labrador returned to Ribeiro to create Adegas Maleiga along with his partners Óscar Rodríguez and Nacho González. Labrador’s ancestors were grape growers and winemakers, but his parents’ generation made their living elsewhere. After some experimentation with homemade wine, Labrador brought in Rodríguez and and González and hired winemaker José Manuel Martínez Juste. They follow a low-intervention philosophy and try to avoid overly aggressive treatments in the vineyard. Total production is ~5,800 bottles.

The Wines

Intre Blanco Sobre Lías — 63% Treixadura, 21% Godello, 10% Torrontés, 4% Lado, 2% Loureira from San Paio, Ribadavia. Each variety is harvested and vinified separately, with fermentation on the lees in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks. The wine ages for six months in stainless steel before being divided into three parts: one continues aging in stainless steel, another in French oak barrels, and the last in terracotta amphorae. After blending, the finished wine rests for a minimum of six additional months in bottle before release.

Lapso — 60% Caiño Tinto, 28% Sousón, 12% Ferrón from San Paio, Ribadavia. Grapes are hand-harvested and co-fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks. The wine ages for 11 months in stainless steel, with 20% spending five months in French oak barrels. After blending, it rests a further six months in bottle before release.