Quiroga-Bibei (key-ROW-guh bee-BAY) is a subzone of the Ribeira Sacra wine appellation. It encompasses the Quiroga valley, the banks of the Sil and Bibei rivers, and mountainous territory around Manzaneda and Pobra de Trives. Quiroga narrowly beats Ribeiras do Miño for the title of largest subzone in Ribeira Sacra, with 392 hectares and 390 growers.
A Little Geography
Quiroga-Bibei is a subzone that should really be two, or even three: this is due to its complex and shifting terrain, which varies between the flatter extension of the Sil in the Quiroga Valley and the high, mountainous terrain further south.
Quiroga-Bibei encompasses the towns and parishes of Monforte de Lemos (parish of Rozavales), Pobra de Brollón, Quiroga, Ribas de Sil, Pobra de Trives, Manzaneda and San Xoán de Río (parish of Cerdeira).
The subzone covers a fairly large area, ranging from the flat and open Quiroga valley to the slopes of the Sil and Bibei river valleys to the mountains of Manzaneda and Pobra de Trives. Some of the vineyards of this subzone are also included in the UNESCO World Geopark Montañas do Courel.
The Quiroga Valley, nestled in the foothills of the Serra do Courel, provides an ideal place for viticulture as the mountains protect the valley from storms. Vines grow in the bottom of the valley and on the surrounding slopes, reaching heights up to 600 meters; above this altitude ripening becomes difficult. The majority of the vines are planted along the right slope of the Sil River, taking advantage of south-facing slopes.
Heading south along the Bibei River, terraced vineyards overlook the water. Both Trives and Manzaneda can claim vineyards that are 200 or 300 years old, although most of them have been abandoned since the 1960’s. Here, vines grow along the river’s slopes and reach altitudes of 400-500 meters.
Quiroga-Bibei's Climate and Soils
Quiroga-Bibei has mostly slate soils, with a smaller presence of quartzite, gneiss, schist and some granitic areas.
The furthest east of the Ribeira Sacra’s subzones, Quiroga-Bibei has the strongest Mediterranean-continental influence with cold winters and very hot summers. In the highest areas, the climate verges on mountainous. Like Quiroga, the area around the Bibei river receives little rainfall.
Quiroga Culture
Every year, on Easter Saturday and Sunday, people flock to the town of Quiroga to celebrate the famous Feira do Viño de Quiroga. Started in 1980, the modern incarnation of this wine festival is the oldest in the Ribeira Sacra. It joins larger wineries and smaller colleiteiros under one umbrella of Quiroga wine.