Bodegas Merayo

Bodegas y Viñedos Merayo was born in 2010 in San Andrés de Montejos, a small village in the heart of Bierzo. But the story goes back much further. The Merayo family has deep roots in the wine industry, owning one of the most significant wineries in Castilla y León for many years. In 1989, Pedro Merayo decided to shut down the family winery and focus his attention solely to the vines. For two decades, he poured his energy into recovering and maintaining the family vineyards. Then something shifted. The region was changing, modernizing, and Pedro felt the pull to return to winemaking.

The family recommitted to winemaking at their estate, Finca Miralmonte, emphasizing the production of high-quality native grape varieties. The winery is surrounded by 10 hectares of land where various wine-related activities are performed. The winery has around 42 hectares of vineyards, mainly planted in the municipality of Valtuille de Abajo. The vineyards are all very old, all the vines are between 80 and 120 years old, which is exceptional. These ancient bush vines are the soul of Merayo. They grow in slate soils, in a region where Romans once mined for gold and pilgrims walked the Camino de Santiago.

There is an intriguing balance between young and old taking place at Merayo, where 80-year-old Mencía bush vines give up their fruit to young, dynamic winemaker Juan Merayo. Juan, Pedro's son, leads the technical direction today. His approach is thoughtful and precise. The family practices sustainable agriculture, ensuring that their grapes are grown without chemical fertilizers or pesticides. They use plowing techniques to enrich the topsoil, promoting healthy vine growth and biodiversity. All vineyards are handpicked. Gentle fruit handling in both the vineyard and winery, temperature controlled ferments and sensitive oak ageing in French and American oak are the hallmarks of the Merayo wines.

The portfolio centers on Mencía and Godello, Bierzo's native stars. The entry-level Mencía is pure and aromatic, made from 80-year-old vines with no oak treatment to preserve freshness. Las Tres Filas, named "The Three Rows," steps up the intensity with six months in oak. With 97 points and Best in Show honors from Decanter's World Wine Awards, it punches well above its weight. Aquiana represents the top tier, a complex, mineral-driven red that shows what old vines and careful winemaking can achieve. The Godello offers a white counterpoint, crisp and textured. Every bottle reflects the family's commitment to place, to the vines, and to making wines that speak clearly of Bierzo.