to homepage to main navigation to main content to contact form to search form

Bodega Rafael Palacios S.L.

He wanted to prove to the world that he could produce the best white wine in all of Spain -- and he succeeded!

A migrant from Rioja, Rafael Palacios came to Valdeorras and quickly made a name for himself there. He regularly proved his worth in his family home of Palacios Remondo. In 2004, he founded his own vineyard in a northwestern nook of Spain, at the centre of Galicia, in the remote Valle del Bibei. Meanwhile, his brother Álvaro assumed the management of the vineyard in Rioja.

In light of the autochtonous godello grape's potential, Rafael was convinced he could use it to produce world-class wines from the very beginning. Little by little, he purchased parcels stocked with old vines -- locally referred to as sortes. Sortes found in elevated, north-facing locations caught his attention in particular. These yield fresh, mineral, and well structured wines. The oldest location is Sorte Antiga, planted in 1920. The Valle del Bibei in the parish of O Bolo is the highest located area of Valdeorras and is situated 680 to 740 metres above sea level. The ground, which developed through the erosion of granite, is barren with a sandy surface.

By now, Rafael is faced with hard work on 30 hectares spread over 30 vineyards, since the mostly abandoned sortes need to be maintained, the walls must be repaired, the grounds must be vitalised, and the neglected vines must be cosseted up. While doing this, he applies organic and partially biodynamic methods of cultivation.

Louro do Bolo stems from various parcels. The Godello is refined with 6% of the indigenous Treixedura and fermented and developed in large 3000 litre wooden barrels. After having sampled this wine, you will be ready to get to know the As Sortes, which was hailed as the best white wine of Spain. However, Rafael Palacios does not simply sit on his laurels. His latest attempt, called Sorte O Soro, has taken over this title and sees its place along the biggest names of the world of white wines.

White wines from Bodega Rafael Palacios S.L.

In Stock
Louro do Bolo 2021
Only 7 Bottles

Louro do Bolo 2021

DO Valdeorras, Rafael Palacios, 750 ml
In Stock
Parker 93 Points
Louro do Bolo 2022

Louro do Bolo 2022

DO Valdeorras, Rafael Palacios, 750 ml
In Stock
Parker 97 Points
Sorte Antiga 2021
Only 4 Bottles

Sorte Antiga 2021

DO Valdeorras, Rafael Palacios, 750 ml
In Stock
Parker 95+ Points
As Sortes 2020

As Sortes 2020

DO Valdeorras, Rafael Palacios, 750 ml

from Bodega Rafael Palacios S.L.

In Stock
Parker 93 Points
Louro do Bolo 2022

Louro do Bolo 2022

DO Valdeorras, Rafael Palacios, 750 ml
In Stock
Parker 99 Points
Sorte O Soro 2021
Only 12 Bottles

Sorte O Soro 2021

DO Valdeorras, Rafael Palacios, 750 ml
In Stock
Parker 96 Points
As Sortes 2019
Only 9 Bottles

As Sortes 2019

DO Valdeorras, Rafael Palacios, 750 ml
In Stock
Parker 97 Points
Sorte Antiga 2021
Only 4 Bottles

Sorte Antiga 2021

DO Valdeorras, Rafael Palacios, 750 ml

Producer

Paladin

Paladin

The vineyards of the Paladin winery are located in the border area between the Eastern Veneto and Friuli, where wine was already being grown in Roman times. At that time, the wines of this area were shipped in amphorae from the nearby sea ports to Rome, as reported by the historian Pliny.

Read more
Dr. Bürklin-Wolf / Fam. Bürklin

Dr. Bürklin-Wolf / Fam. Bürklin

Read more
Château Biac

Château Biac

Sometimes life is full of surprises. The Lebanese Asseily family experienced this first-hand when they became the owners of Château Biac as if by accident in 2006. They regularly spent their summer holidays near Biac, but never would they have dreamt that they would own and manage this wonderful property themselves one day. It’s a fascinating story that Tony and Youmna Asseily are happy to share over a glass of their wine.

Read more