Vinalia x Merayo, Mencía

The Merayo family has deep roots in the Bierzo appellation, with a long legacy of viticulture as both grape growers and wine producers. In 1989, Pedro Merayo shifted his focus solely to nurturing his family's vineyards, revitalizing the region's old vines that had been neglected during the Franco era. Relaunching the Merayo winery in 2010, he is now joined by his son Juan. Today, Merayo is dedicated to crafting site-specific wines from their head-trained vines, many nearly a century old, while maintaining a steadfast commitment to sustainable practices.

Nestled between the Portuguese border and the Bay of Biscay, Bierzo is celebrated for its distinctive, fresh wine styles. The region's viticulture traces back to Roman settlers, flourishing further during the Middle Ages as a key stop on the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage. For much of the 20th century, Bierzo prioritized quantity over quality; however, since the late 1980s, dedicated producers have revitalized old vine Mencía. Today, Bierzo is recognized as one of Spain’s premier wine regions, with specific villages and vineyard sites now distinguished on labels.

The most prestigious red grape of northwestern Spain, Mencía is celebrated for its complex wines, often hailing from vineyards approaching or exceeding a century in age. Mencía is commonly likened to Gamay or Pinot Noir due to its fresh berry flavors, light to medium body, and naturally softer tannins. Most prominent in Bierzo and Ribeira Sacra, Mencía wines demonstrate exceptional transparency to the terroir in which they are grown.