Raul Perez Ultreia Godello

Raúl Pérez is the bearded rockstar winemaker of Spanish wine. As a teenager Raúl was already the winemaker at his family's Bierzo estate, Castro Ventosa. Young Raúl wanted to be a doctor, but he was destined to be the most prolific consultant winemaker in the country. Making wine all over Spain, his heart has always been true to his home in the northwest, with projects in Bierzo, Monterrei, Rías Baixas and Ribeira Sacra. Described as “part artisan and part mad scientist”, his approach to vinify wines by separate plots and terroirs has lead to comparisons with Burgundy. Many think that Pérez has been largely responsible for the rise of Mencía, and we applaud him for it.

The Godello is from three sites in the village of Valtuille de Abajo, though 90% of the fruit in this vintage actually comes from one north-facing site. The ultimate focus here is on preserving acidity, so this wine is picked on the knife edge of ripeness.