Bodegas Zarate

It was in 1953 that Ernesto Zarate initiated the Albariño Festival in the region’s capital of Cambados. Yet, he withdrew his wine from the festival’s competition three years later having won first prize each year; vowing not to re-enter until another grower had matched his accomplishment. To this day, none have. Today, it is seventh-generation Eulogio Pomares at the helm of this historic bodega, and he is even more quality-driven than his pred...

The Zarate estate is an old one, founded in 1707. Formed by the lower reaches of the Umia River, its undulating slopes of Xabre—weathered granite—soil, and cool climate make Val do Salnés the region’s greatest terroir and home to its longest-lived wines. Here Pomares farms Rias Baixas’ oldest documented Albariño vineyard—the pre-phylloxera El Palomar, planted in 1850—and the estate boasts ancient Loureiro Tinto and Caiño Tinto vines as well. B...

In addition to the whites, Eulogio is fashioning tiny amounts of classically fresh and elegant—yet deep and rich—Espadeiro, Loureiro Tinto and Caiño Tinto. Red wine once defined Val do Salnés’ production, and Eulogio is working tirelessly to restore this important legacy with new massaleplantings from the remaining pre-phylloxera vines. The reds receive a month-long fermentation/maceration in open top oak vats with daily punching down of the c...