The Ribeira Sacra region was virtually unknown until the end of the last century, with the exception of a few insiders perhaps. Today it enjoys the status of an insider tip, but for how much longer? The wines from this spectacular landscape in the deep northwest of Spain are becoming increasingly popular and enjoy something of a cult status among connoisseurs of the Spanish wine scene, also and especially because of exceptional wineries such as Dominio de Bibei. Ribeira Sacra translates as something like "holy bank", and this name goes back to the numerous monasteries and churches that were built on the banks of the rivers Sil and Mino, particularly in the 12th and 13th centuries. The landscape is steep and almost impassable, and the valleys are narrow and cramped, but viticulture was already practiced here by the Romans, who planted vines on steep terraces that were difficult to access. With the founding of the Dominio de Bibei winery, many of these ancient terraces, which lie at around 600 meters above sea level, have been lovingly restored and put back into operation. In 2002, no less wine personalities than Rene Barbier and Sara Peré, who have already enjoyed enormous success with their wines from the Priorat, provided the initial help. Today, Dominio de Bibei cultivates around 50 hectares of vineyards biodynamically, and in the cellar they are very suspicious of new-fangled oenological practices. The wines are vinified and matured in concrete tanks or large wooden barrels according to good old tradition. Only indigenous varieties are cultivated, above all Godello for white wine and Mencia for red wine. However, the rare indigenous grape varieties Brancellao and Mouratón are also grown on the steep terraces. If the grapes, must and wine are treated correctly, the cool climate, which is influenced by the Atlantic, produces wines that are rich in finesse and full of tension, which are otherwise very difficult to find in Spain. And it is precisely for this original character that Dominio de Bibei has become famous, and critics celebrate these wines enthusiastically - and rightly so!
