Collection: Finca Losada
Losada
Finca Losada is a modern winery, in the Bierzo (pronounced bee-er-tho) region, featuring primarily Mencia (pronounced men-thee-a) wines from old plantings. Located near the village of Pieros on the famous Camino de Santiago de Compostela.
Losada's vineyards are a series of small parcels of traditionally bush-trained vines planted in slate and clay soils. Minimum intervention is followed out in the vineyards, partly in respect to the traditions, but mainly out of respect to the environment, the workers, and the people who enjoy their wines. No chemical herbicides or pesticides are used.
The Jesus Manzanares designed winery uses gravity to move wine through the production process rather than pumps. The design also incorporates features of the environment for both heat/cooling and light, including locating the ageing cellar, production area, and bottling line underground. Solar panels generate power for much of the production.
Winemaker Amancio Fernandez shares responsibility for the development of the Bierzo region when he worked at Dominio de Tares until joining Finca Losada in 2005.
About Bierzo and Mencía
El Bierzo is a small Denominación de Origen situated to the west of the province of León in northwest Spain. The area under vine occupies more than 2,600 ha of small parcels planted with Mencía in a valley protected to the north by the Montes de León and south by the Cordillera de los Aquilianos. The soils are well-suited by their low pH level and are of two types – slate and sandstone on one side and rich clay on the other, with vines planted at heights of 400 – 800m.
The damp, continental climate provides more than 2,000 hours sunlight each year, with average rainfall of 750mm and a mean temperature of 12.3 ̊C (54 ̊F) with important day/night contrasts. This combination provides the perfect conditions foreseen by Emile Peynaud and subsequently confirmed by the most influential wine critics.
This grape variety Mencía has been found in the area since the Middle Ages, and is characterized by its low acidity and high sugar content. It produces wines of good body and medium-to-high structure, with a soft, velvety mouth feel. Aromas range from fresh blackberries, raspberries and red currants to mature plums, liquorice, Indian ink, and herbs, with distinct mineral notes.