Condes de Albarei
Lugar A Bouza, 1, 36639 Cambados, Pontevedra, España | condesdealbarei.com
In 1985, a group of growers from the southern Val do Salnés came together to form "Salnesur," a small cooperative winery. Just a few years later in 1988, their vision evolved into Condes de Albarei, founded with 106 members who believed in the potential of a little-known wine region called Rías Baixas. Their faith was soon rewarded when, in 1991, Condes de Albarei made history by winning a Gold Medal at the Challenge du Vin de Bordeaux—the first international award ever bestowed upon a Spanish white wine.
The cooperative currently has 400 members who farm over 350 hectares of vineyards. They produce over three million bottles of Albariño annually, of which a third are exported.
In 2008, Condes de Albarei acquired the historic Pazo Baión, a Galician stone manor house that had once belonged to infamous drug kingpin Laureano Oubiña in the 1980s. Following an extensive remodel, they transformed the pazo into a visitor center and the home of a new premium label called Pazo Baión, made from grapes grown in its vineyards. As part of the acquisition agreement, the cooperative committed to employing a percentage of former drug addicts and donating five percent of its profits to social programs.
The Wines
Condes de Albarei (1.5 million bottles) 100% Albariño fermented in stainless steel tanks.
Enxebre 100% Albariño from older vineyards made using several days of carbonic maceration.
Carballo Gallego 100% Albariño fermented in new 225L Galician oak barrels and raised for several months on its lees with regular bâttonage.
Condes de Albarei En Rama 100% Albariño from 40 year-old vines. Fermented in stainless steel tanks and raised for several years on its fine lees until bottling without fining or stabilization.
Pazo Baión 100% Albariño from a 22ha estate vineyard. Fermented in stainless steel and raised in tank for 6 months on its fine lees.