ALVAREDOS
The tiny hamlet town of Alvaredos is nestled above the banks of the Sil River in the province of Lugo, in the historic winegrowing region of Ribeira Sacra. With only 3 families residing year-round in the town, Alvaredos is one of the 3,000 “forgotten” towns that dot the landscape of Galicia.
Dedicated to agriculture since its founding, Alvaredos has historically cultivated grapes, chestnuts, and olives. Antonio’s great-grandfather first began planting vineyards in the hillsides above the town in 1873; Antonio would later repurchase some of these same plots of land to cultivate the indigenous varieties we source for Alvaredos-Hobbs.
Alvaredos-Hobbs supports the revitalization of Alvaredos and other disappearing villages of the Galician province.
The Scallop Shell (La Vieira) is the most iconic symbol of the Camino de Santiago, often used as a directional marker for pilgrims. Its rays signify the many routes of the Camino, all leading to the shrine of St. James the Apostle in Santiago de Compostela.
CAMINO de santiago
Alvaredos sits along the winter route of the famed Camino de Santiago, which winds through Ribeira Sacra and ends at Santiago de Compostela. Traditionally used by pilgrims during the winter months to avoid snowy conditions along other routes, today the “Camino de Invierno” is popular to travel during late summer and autumn, when the terraced vineyards along the Sil River are displaying their most vibrant hues.
As the Camino passes directly in front of the winery’s cellar door, Alvaredos-Hobbs provides a welcome resting site for intrepid pilgrims, offering coffee and a place to charge their devices.