The wine-growing tradition in Valdeorras dates back to Roman times. Under the protection of a Mediterranean-oceanic microclimate, the Romans planted vineyards and built wine presses. They therefore gave rise to a culture, which is now secular, of caring for the vineyard and the production of exquisite wines, which pilgrims sang about on the way to Santiago de Compostela.
Since that time, the arduous road travelled by winegrowers and winemakers has borne fruit until 1945, when the Valdeorras Designation of Origin was recognised by a Ministerial Order. The Entity was established with the purpose of restoring native varieties such as Godello and Mencía, and its main lines of action are to focus on quality, encourage control, facilitate promotion, and seek new avenues for expansion and marketing.
Currently, the winemaking work and the complex world around it is organised through the Regulatory Council, the body that controls the fate of the Designation of Origin, covering the wine-growing areas of the municipalities of A Rúa, Carballeda de Valdeorras, Larouco, O Barco, O Bolo, Petín, Rubiá, and Vilamartín.
For the whites, the grapes used are preferably Godello, and, in addition, Dona Branca and Palomino or Jerez. For reds, preferably Mencía and Sousón, but also Brancellao, Merenzao or María Ardoña, Negreda, Garnacha Tintorera, Alicante, Tempranillo and, Grao Negro.
