Region: Galicia, Spain (Ribeira Sacra)
Grapes: Mencía, blend of native varieties (Merenzao, Brancellao, Garnacha Tintorera, Alicante Bouschet)
Body: Medium
Notes: Nervy cranberries, wild raspberries, violet petals, dried moss, white pepper, and tobacco smoke, with an earthy, savory granite undertone and velvety tannins
Pairing: Pluma Ibérico pork loin, grilled lamb skewers, duck breast with berry reduction, wild mushroom risotto, or continuous charcuterie boards
The Producer
Envínate (which translates to "wine yourself") is an authoritative, globally revered natural wine project formed by four passionate winemaking friends—Roberto Santana, Alfonso Torrente, Laura Ramos, and José Martínez. Meeting at university in Alicante, they established a collective focused heavily on identifying and rehabilitating forgotten, old-vine parcels across Spain’s most distinctive Atlantic-influenced terroirs, including Tenerife, Almansa, and Ribeira Sacra in Galicia. Operating under a low-intervention, non-dogmatic framework, the group relies entirely on native yeast fermentations, old neutral vessels, and strict chemical-free viticulture. They completely reject the heavy extraction and aggressive new oak of conventional Spanish winemaking, instead prioritizing site transparency, high-toned alpine freshness, and food-friendly structures.
The Wine
The 2023 "Lousas" Parcela Rosende is an ethereal single-vineyard masterclass that redefines the depth and precision achievable in Ribeira Sacra. Located on the steep terraces of the eastern edge of the Miño Valley, the parcel features incredibly old vines rooted in sandy, decomposed granite and slate soils—a unique geology that Alfonso Torrente frequently notes evokes the savory, stony tension of the Northern Rhône's Cornas or Saint-Joseph. In the cellar, the hand-harvested fruit is handled with minimalist precision, undergoing a 35-day spontaneous fermentation using 100% whole clusters in an open-top vat. The juice is then moved to mature for roughly 11 to 12 months on its fine lees without racking inside a combination of a large 2,000-liter neutral oak foudre and older 228-liter French barriques. Bottled completely unfined, unfiltered, and with no sulfur added until a absolute microscopic touch at bottling, this highly scannable 2023 vintage delivers a stunningly complex, fine-boned palate; it beautifully pairs bright, high-acid orchard berries and floral perfumes with a dusty mineral depth and an elegantly structured, age-worthy finish.
Region: Galicia, Spain (Ribeira Sacra)
Grapes: Mencía, blend of native varieties (Merenzao, Brancellao, Garnacha Tintorera, Alicante Bouschet)
Body: Medium
Notes: Nervy cranberries, wild raspberries, violet petals, dried moss, white pepper, and tobacco smoke, with an earthy, savory granite undertone and velvety tannins
Pairing: Pluma Ibérico pork loin, grilled lamb skewers, duck breast with berry reduction, wild mushroom risotto, or continuous charcuterie boards
The Producer
Envínate (which translates to "wine yourself") is an authoritative, globally revered natural wine project formed by four passionate winemaking friends—Roberto Santana, Alfonso Torrente, Laura Ramos, and José Martínez. Meeting at university in Alicante, they established a collective focused heavily on identifying and rehabilitating forgotten, old-vine parcels across Spain’s most distinctive Atlantic-influenced terroirs, including Tenerife, Almansa, and Ribeira Sacra in Galicia. Operating under a low-intervention, non-dogmatic framework, the group relies entirely on native yeast fermentations, old neutral vessels, and strict chemical-free viticulture. They completely reject the heavy extraction and aggressive new oak of conventional Spanish winemaking, instead prioritizing site transparency, high-toned alpine freshness, and food-friendly structures.
The Wine
The 2023 "Lousas" Parcela Rosende is an ethereal single-vineyard masterclass that redefines the depth and precision achievable in Ribeira Sacra. Located on the steep terraces of the eastern edge of the Miño Valley, the parcel features incredibly old vines rooted in sandy, decomposed granite and slate soils—a unique geology that Alfonso Torrente frequently notes evokes the savory, stony tension of the Northern Rhône's Cornas or Saint-Joseph. In the cellar, the hand-harvested fruit is handled with minimalist precision, undergoing a 35-day spontaneous fermentation using 100% whole clusters in an open-top vat. The juice is then moved to mature for roughly 11 to 12 months on its fine lees without racking inside a combination of a large 2,000-liter neutral oak foudre and older 228-liter French barriques. Bottled completely unfined, unfiltered, and with no sulfur added until a absolute microscopic touch at bottling, this highly scannable 2023 vintage delivers a stunningly complex, fine-boned palate; it beautifully pairs bright, high-acid orchard berries and floral perfumes with a dusty mineral depth and an elegantly structured, age-worthy finish.
What is natural wine?
Natural wine is wine made with minimal intervention from the winemaker, using organically or biodynamically grown grapes and without the addition of chemicals or additives such as sulfites. The result is a wine that is unique, expressive, and often has a more complex and nuanced flavor profile than conventional wines. Natural wine is also often associated with sustainable and ethical farming practices, making it a popular choice for those interested in environmentally friendly and socially responsible products.