Notas Frutales de Albarino

Notas Frutales de Albarino is located in the Condado de Tea sub zone in the far east of Rias Baixas between the small towns of Creciente and Garabelos. Although born in Germany and brought up in Madrid, José Alonso is of Galician ancestry and spent his summers at his grandfather’s property in Garabelos. Many years later, after becoming a successful pharmacist, José returned to his family properties to begin restoring the vineyards, where he now makes the wines alongside his wife Teresa and sister-in-law Elena. In 2014, a new purpose-built winery was constructed to allow the business to grow. There are six vineyards planted between 200 and 350 meters of altitude on the right bank of the Miño River, making up 13 hectares and with an average age of 25 years, although those of the Garabelos Estate exceed 45 years old. All are trained on trellis rather than pergola, controlling the yields. Being further from the Atlantic, this is the coolest and highest part of the DO and wines from here can have great power. Two labels are made: La Trucha (Trout) named for the fish José caught in the Miño as a child and Finca Garabelos, named for the family’s historic house.