Mountain > Grapevine > Wine

Vitheras Winery

The Vitheras’ (Viticultores Heroicos Asturianos S.L.) vineyards are located in the sunny mountainsides of the deep valleys of Cangas de Narcea, protected by a great mountain barrier from the wet air masses of the coast. This is the representation of heroic viticulture: harsh and with strong slopes, although with strong autochthonous vines perfectly adapted to the soil and the weather resulting in recognizable and unique wines.

Since 1556

The Vitheras’ vineyards, have been dedicated to vine cultivation since the beginning of times. The winery keeps documents dated on 1556 (XVI century) supporting the cultivation of vines on the same land by our ancestors and also landlords of our vineyards. During last decades the family has focused in the recovery of his old vineyards with different goals: not only to create a unique and highest quality wine but also to share the history and tradition that many generations shared and keep from parents to children. Moreover, Vitheras is interested in the recovery of the vine-producing landscape of the small town of Cangas del Narcea, placed in the breath-taking valley of the river Cibea. To achieve these goals we combine our tradition in the vineyard management, the wine production expertise, the last technological and scientific advances, and the consciousness with our history and our tradition releasing a White wine and a Rose wine

War, diseases and oblivion

Even though the vineyards from Asturias are not strongly known, this area achieved an important dissemination during last centuries achieving several international and national awards. This area counted with distinguished wine growers such as the Conde de Toreno, Anselmo González del Valle, or the politician and member of the parliament Nicolás Suarez Cantón. The arrival of the coal mining industry during the 50’s supposed almost the total eradication of this old wine growing area. Furthermore, the suffering of the civil war plus the devastating vine diseases in Europe of Phylloxera, Oidio and Mildiu made the viticulture in Asturias fall in Oblivion

The recovery and the return of the wineries

Nowadays, after the closing of almost the majority of the mines in the county of Cangas del Narcea, the vineyards and the wineries are recovering their lands. The black is buried by the green and the ochre colours of the Albarín Blanco, the Verdejo Negro or the Albarín Negro, the vines that formerly produced marvellous wines quoted by Jovellanos in his diary in autumn of 1752

The vineyard and its varieties

The vineyards of the winery are placed in the town of Carballo (Cangas Del Narcea), it is called “Carballedo” located in the sunniest mountainside of the Valley of Cibea River. It is a terrain with strong gradient and difficult slopes composed by a 55% of loose stones and 45% fine soil, the pH is 6(H20)/5,5(kCl) and scarce in organic materials

The average temperature between April and October is 15.5ºC, solar radiation of 130W/m2, precipitation of 70mm and relative humidity of 78%

ALBARÍN BLANCO

After diverse scientific studies published by CSIC, it is an autochthonous variety from Asturias which was quoted by Suarez Canton prior 1879. Is a short period vine with an early ripening (even ahead Chasselas vine), with a high level of adaptation to the region and in general to mountainous areas. Is scantly fertile producing few and small bunches of grapes. The grapes are gold yellow and translucent so you can glimpse the seeds in the interior.

Furthermore, the grapes have a strong sugar concentration compared with other white varieties of the zone but with an equilibrium in sharpness and a strong aromatic richness. During the total grape ripening there is a noticeable Muscat flavour and flower bouquet

MUSCAT À PETITS GRAINS

This internationally recognized variety was described for first time by Simon de Rojas Clemente in 1803 and grown in our vine-growing area at least since XIX Century. With Cylindrical bunches of grapes, bigger than Albarin’s and with greater output of grape-juice. The grapes have a thin skin, are juicy and with strong typical Muscat bouquet. The grape ripening is later than Albarin, the sugar concentration is lower and has a stronger bitter. In the old vineyards from Asturias, Scientifics from CSIC found a Rosé and Red Variety (Muscat Rosé à Petits Grains) almost disappeared in the world (www.vitis.mbg.csic.es/vitis)

VERDEJO NEGRO

Red Variety, considered autochthonous of this area. As Jovellanos says in his Diary during a grape harvest in Cangas de Narcea the 30^th September 1796, invited by the Conde de Toreno, “The variety Verdejo was the most spread variety and probably the most appreciated by the vine growers in this region”. It is also quoted in later on by Suarez Canton (1879), who considers the variety as one of the oldest in the region, the “best” and the most spread. In the scientific studies published by CSIC, it is characterised by an early ripening between red varieties and specially adapted to the mountain areas, where the vine produces grapes with magnificent equilibrium between sugar and bitter. Its fertility is medium-high and produces compact bunches, the leaf is oval and dark red and violet. This variety doesn’t produce strong colours so is perfect for Rosé wines.

ALBARÍN NEGRO

Albarín Negro

Red variety, also quoted by Suarez Canton in 1879 as cultivated in this region since old times and second in importance with the later. Is less fertile with smaller bunches compared with the Verdejo. The ripening is later and sometimes the bunch presents small lack of grapes (derived from a lack of fertilisation of the flowers called “corrimiento”). The variety produces quality grapes with a good sugar-bitter equilibrium. The grapes are also small and have a dark blue colour being richer in tint compared to the Verdejo, with the latter is the perfect complement

MENCÍA

Following the studies published by CSIC Scientifics this variety was introduced in Asturias, the North of Leon and Asturias at the beginning of the XX Century after the Phylloxera invasion. In the vineyards of our region there is a variation that old vine growers call “Mencia partridge bird leg” and is distinguished because two reasons: the red colour of the penduncle and because its ripening was earlier to the others reds. The ripening of this variety takes place after the Verdejo and before the Albarin. Presents a good adaptation to the region regarding its sugar concentration and the level of bitter achieved under this conditions

The Vitheras Wines

White Vitheras

INFO

Vitheras, made with from Albarin Blanco and a small percentage of Muscat à Petits Grains. The characteristic colour of the wine is pallid yellow clean and brilliant. Presents a strong aromatic intensity with floral notes, apple, pear, peach and citric. Is persistent in mouth equilibrated, with a light and pleasant bitter touch

TASTING NOTES

Brilliant and pale yellow with strong aromatic intensity of Green Apple, anise, ripe peach and a touch of pineapple and balsamic
In mouth is long, fresh and with a characteristic light bitter flavour of this variety.

COUPAGE

Made with:
98% Albarín blanco.
2% Moscat à Petits Grains.

AWARDS

Gold medal in CERVIM’s International Awards 2015

Silver medal in BACCHUS International Awards 2016

Silver medal IWSC 2016

Lucía Vitheras

INFO

Lucia Vitheras, made with Verdejo Negro, Albarin Negro and Mencia. This wine stands out because its onion skin colour, limpid and brilliant. With a significant aromatic presence and really good bitter. Fruits in bouquet prevailing the red fruits aromas, raspberry, strawberry and lollypop

TASTING NOTES

Pink strawberry colour, with a remarkable aromatic intensity and brilliant. The bouquet stands out because the red fruits such as: raspberry, picota cherry and strawberry.
In mouth is a fresh and unctuous wine.