Bodegas Zárate

Bodegas Zárate traces its origins to 1707, making it one of the oldest wine estates in Galicia. The modern reputation for quality was cemented in the mid-20th century by Ernesto Zárate, who pioneered high-quality Albariño production in the 1950s and founded the Albariño Festival in Cambados in 1953. He won first prize at that festival three consecutive years. Today, the estate is managed by Eulogio Pomares, the seventh generation of the family, who took over in 2000 and holds a PhD in the Aromatic Profile of Albariño.

• Estate established in 1707 in Meaño, Val do Salnés
• Ernesto Zárate founded the Albariño Festival in Cambados in 1953
• Eulogio Pomares has managed the estate since 2000, bringing academic rigor to winemaking
• El Palomar vineyard, planted in 1850, is the oldest documented pre-phylloxera Albariño site in Rías Baixas

The estate covers 10 hectares divided into 14 individual plots, with an average vine age of 35 years. All vineyards sit on weathered granite soils known locally as Xabre, under a cool Atlantic climate that defines Val do Salnés. Zárate practices biodynamic and organic viticulture, and the soils have not been tilled since 1994. This hands-off approach to soil management preserves microbial life and reflects the estate's commitment to expressing authentic terroir.

• Soils are weathered granite (Xabre), characteristic of Val do Salnés
• Cool Atlantic climate drives high natural acidity in the wines
• Biodynamic and organic viticulture practiced across all 14 plots
• Soils untilled since 1994, supporting soil health and biodiversity

Zárate produces age-worthy Albariños using minimal intervention techniques. Wild yeast fermentations, minimal sulfur dioxide additions, and extended lees aging are standard across the range. The flagship El Palomar is fermented in large oak foudres with malolactic fermentation, a treatment rare in Rías Baixas that adds texture and complexity while preserving the site's mineral character. The estate also produces small quantities of reds from recovered native varieties including Espadeiro, Caiño Tinto, Loureiro Tinto, and Treixadura.

• Wild yeast fermentations and minimal SO2 used throughout the range
• Extended lees aging builds texture and aromatic complexity
• El Palomar fermented in large oak foudres with malolactic fermentation
• Red wines produced in small quantities from recovered indigenous varieties

Albariño is the dominant variety and the focus of the estate's white wine production, ranging from fresh, mineral everyday bottlings to grand cru-level single-vineyard wines capable of extended aging. Native red varieties including Espadeiro, Caiño Tinto, Loureiro Tinto, and Treixadura are grown in limited quantities, representing a commitment to preserving Galicia's viticultural heritage. These reds are produced in very small volumes and reflect the estate's exploratory approach to indigenous varieties.

• Albariño is the primary variety, grown across multiple plots including El Palomar
• Red varieties include Espadeiro, Caiño Tinto, Loureiro Tinto, and Treixadura
• White wines range from approachable mineral styles to age-worthy single-vineyard expressions
• Red production is small, focused on recovered native Galician varieties