Visiting Vineyards in Galicia

Diego, Carolina, Maria, and Alex 

We had a fabulous day visiting vineyards that belong to the cooperative of Paco & Lola. Diego is the man in charge of Viticultura for the coop. He visits all the vineyards, manages the disease and pest control, decides when to harvest, and maintains relationships with all the growers. What a delightful and knowledgeable man. He loved that someone was interested in the vines and not just the wines.

Carolina is in charge of marketing and Maria who just joined a couple of months ago is responsible for tourism. Carolina served as interpreter and Maria was along to see the vineyards and learn first hand. It was a thoroughly enjoyable experience. We learned so much and were able to ask many questions. What was most interesting is that we learned that we hadn't really done anything wrong so far in our plantings. They understood immediately what we were doing and reaffirmed that it all made sense. Amazing!

I don't have time to write too much now. I'll just say we visited 5 vineyards: one of the oldest that has vines that are hundreds of years old, one being newly planted that had 2-yo vines, one that was 10 years old, and one that was 20 years old. What a fascinating experience. 

We learned about experimentation with companion plantings, soil management, anticipating weather conditions that herald problems, control of woodworm with pheromones, and other sustainable practices. We came out of there totally pumped. We were also able to inform Diego about a possible natural antidote to honey fungus which he didn't know about - the purple orchid. That happened at a vineyard that was also a nursery and they were able to find the orchid immediately. Being able to give something back felt good. 

More later. Now for some photos. Enormous thanks to Caroline, Maria and Diego. You have left an enormous impression, and we hope to live up to your example. 

Ancient vines that served as a canopy for an ancient trail. 

Albarino grapes doing their thing. 

Nice size - they don't get really big and have delicate skins

Really impressive ancient vine

Weather and soli monitoring station

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Two-year-old vines

Building a new pergola

The group 

Clover as a companion to ten-year-old vines

Grown much closer together than we have

Flowers for decoration

Soil is fine stones over solid granite

Very productive vines

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Very well managed 20-yo vines

Very productive

Grass cut and always left to enrich the soil