Fento "Pedraneira" Albariño, Rías Baixas, Spain 2024

FROM LA LUZ SELECTIONS:

THE WINE: 100% Albariño. Planted in 1980, these 40 years old Albariño vines are dry farmed, non-cert. organic and are grown in sandy clay soils of the Castrelo district of the Val do Salnés. This coastal, single vineyard named Francón is a stunning congruous 3 hectare plot perched on an islet at a mere 25 meters above sea level alongside the Atlantic Ocean. Classic pergola trellising helps avoid mildew pressures and keeps the breezes flowing.

THE PRODUCER: Fento Wines are made with sustainably farmed grapes from micro vineyards spotted throughout the Condado de Tea sub zone of Rías Baixas. Prestigious winemaker Eulogio Pomares of Bodegas Zarate and his wife Rebeca Montero were both raised with vineyards for playgrounds and have spent their entire lives immersed in the industry of viticulture and winemaking. Their personal joint venture, Fento Wines, was created in August of 2012 and is a young, family business that makes wines that reflect the strength of the grapes and their nuances, but comes with a fresh focus and presentation...a personal enterprise that combines natural viticulture with new techniques.

In relation to viticulture, Fento works with local Rías Baixas grape varieties, giving great importance to the grape-earth-climate-winemaker aspects. Fento wines also relies on the assistance of their friends and family crew of small farmers, something which is vital if you want to achieve rational work that respects the environment. Many vines use spontaneous vegetation coverage to obtain more concentrated grapes, to improve the soil's structure and avoid erosion.

Wine cellar work does not adhere to set rules, each year depends on the vintage itself. Grape picking is done by hand with the grape selection carried out on the vine. Alcohol fermentation takes place in stainless steel vats, and according to the vintage, fermentation takes place and the length of breeding is decided upon.