Ribeiras do Miño (ree-BAY-ras do MEEN-yo) is the second-largest subzone of the Ribeira Sacra appellation. As its name (“banks of the Miño”) suggests, it’s located along the eastern bank of the Miño River. Its 358 hectares are home to 816 registered growers, the most out of all the subzones, and 18 wineries.
A Little Geography
Ribeiras do Miño extends along the eastern bank of the Miño River, on both sides of the Cabe River and across the small plateau bordered both river valleys. To the north, the Loio river valley also houses some of the subzone’s vineyards.
This subzone covers several municipalities and parishes in the province of Lugo. From north to south: Paradela, Saviñao, Pantón, Sober (parishes of Vilaescura, Rosende, Canaval, Neiras and Proendos) and Monforte de Lemos (parishes of Moreda and Seoane).
Although the Sil canyon tends to get more press, the Miño’s scenery is essential Ribeira Sacra: terraced vineyards dot the slopes in between chestnut and oak trees, the whole thing shrouded in fog that lifts as the day goes on.
Ribeiras do Miño's Climate and Soils
The Miño’s slopes are just as steep as the Sil’s: vineyards cling to slopes that often plunge at more than 60 degrees. Most of the slopes with vines on them face south and southwest, so they soak up the sun’s rays throughout the day and in the afternoon towards sunset.
In the flat areas between the Miño and Cabe rivers, the absence of slopes means that exposure to the sun depends on a vineyard’s configuration more than the orientation of the land.
The soils of Ribeiras do Miño are mostly granitic, although there are also areas of schist, slate and gneiss towards the east.