Source: De Maison Selections
EMILIO ROJO
Rio Baixas, Spain
Emilio Rojo is an eccentric former engineer who established this estate in 1987, moving back to his native Galicia to restore ancient vineyard sites and winemaking traditions. He owns two hectares of terraced hillside vineyards in Ribeiro in a former Roman village that was known locally as Ibedo. The tiny parcel lies on granite soils and is surrounded by oak and chestnut trees.
Emilio replanted the site with the indigenous varieties that once grew on this same plot. Its north-facing exposure is key in creating structure in the wines since Ribeiro is a very hot denomination. All the wines are organically farmed by Emilio without the use of pesticides or non-organic fertilizer.