Rafael Palacios has carved a unique path in the Spanish wine world. The heart of his winemaking adventure lies in the tiny village of O Bolo, nestled within the Valdeorras region in Galicia, where he exclusively crafts white wines, primarily from the aforementioned Godello varietal. Rafa, as he is affectionately known, is a winemaker deeply committed to showcasing the essence of his terroir, a land characterized by dramatic canyons, high altitudes, and granite soils that seem to breathe life into this oft underestimated grape.
Palacios’s wines speak for themselves and act as a testament to his unwavering pursuit of authenticity. He embraces sustainable and biodiverse farming practices, handling every aspect of winemaking with meticulous care. The end result? Wines that brim with electric-granitic acidity and savory panache. These are not your typical Godello wines; they possess the texture, complexity, and backbone of acid reminiscent of illustrious, top-tier white Burgundy.
Palacios’s approach employs meticulous winemaking techniques, from hand-harvesting to gentle pressing. His affinity for oak is evident in his pursuit of controlled oxygen exposure, resulting in wines that are remarkably fresh and clean. In this journey, Rafael Palacios has elevated Godello to new heights and in the process, has helped put Valdeorras on the map as a region capable of producing Spain’s finest white wines.
Focusing all intentions and energy into harnessing the best possible iteration of this varietal, it wouldn’t be hyperbolic to state that Rafa’s wines are a masterclass in the potential of this unsung white grape. We are delighted to be able to carry the following cuvees from his portfolio of labels, each bottle bearing the indelible mark of his winemaking prowess.
‘Louro’ is made from Palacios’s own vineyards, this wine is born from small parcels of Godello vines with an average age of 25 years. These vineyards, situated at altitudes above 600 meters, thrive on sandy granitic soils and sandy soils enriched with clay deposits. Found in the municipality of O Bolo, near villages like Chandoiro, Lentellais, Outardepregos, and Santa Cruz do Bolo, they represent a return to traditional and organic cultivation methods, free from aggressive treatments. The microclimate and granitic soil of O Bolo shine through in ‘Louro,’ showcasing minerality and a saline character that define its terroir. The fermentation process takes place in 35 hl French oak foudres, with aging on fine lees for four months before bottling. We love the tensile energy found in this textural white wine, it’s subtle tones of tropical and floral pitched amongst a savory pithiness makes for an idyllic pairing with the diverse herbal flavors of Thai, Vietnamese, and Lao cuisine. This wine is available for 1,400THB from our portfolio.
‘As Sortes’ is an exceptional wine is crafted from grapes harvested from Rafael Palacios’s oldest vineyards. These six small parcels were planted in the late 1970s and early 1980s and sit nestled on the north side of the Bibei Valley, in Santa Cruz do Bolo, at altitudes exceeding 680 meters. These Godello vines boast an average age of 40 years and the soils here are pure sandy granite, technically inhospitable, yet capable of yielding low quantities of grapes with remarkable geo-climatic character and personality. This is a serious wine, worthy of a decant and pairing with the finest preparations of sushi and sashimi served omakase style, or alongside decadent lashings of caper and butter atop a fillet of Turbot fish. This wine is available from our portfolio.
‘O Soro’, his top cuvee and most limited production, is a wine that truly pays homage to a single parcel, ‘Sorte’ planted in terraces back in 1978 in the Bibei Valley. Here, Godello vines thrive in a unique microclimate at an altitude of 710 meters. The parcel’s unique orientation exposes it to the northern slope of the Bibei Valley, capturing both the sun’s energy and the cool breeze’s refracted off these high elecation hillsides. The result is a creative and captivating interplay between maturity and freshness, texture and elegance. The iconic granite soils, characterized by fine sands with quartz schist, impart a saline character and tactile minerality to the wine. Palacios tends to these vines adherently with traditional methods, employing horses in the vineyards, and engaging wholesome biodynamic practices. The wine undergoes fermentation in 500-liter barrels and ages for eight months. A rare gem, and an outstanding example of Spanish winemaking. A limited number of this extremely allocated offering, will be available end of January.
In each of these wines, Rafael Palacios brings to life the essence of Valdeorras, pushing boundaries and redefining what Godello can achieve. His meticulous approach and profound respect for tradition, terroir, and biodiverse practices culminate in wines that are nothing short of extraordinary.
Should you have any more questions about Rafael Palacios wines, or any wines Spanish or otherwise from our portfolio, please do not hesitate to reach out to us by email at marketing@winegarage.asia or on Line @winegaragebangkok