The history of Domaine Quinta Couselo is closely linked to the majestic Cistercian monastery of Santa María de Oia, founded in 1137. Located in the province of Pontevedra, in the autonomous community of Galicia, the monks discovered the climatic and soil characteristics of the Rosal valley, ideal for the cultivation of vines, which they practiced for several centuries. The monastery and its properties were put up for public auction in 1835. The monastery building was sold in April 1844.
One of the monks’ places of rest, retreat, and cultivation was the Cheira farm, acquired by them in 1163 and known today as Quinta Couselo. This farm was also sold at auction and acquired by Don Casimiro Dorado y Méndez in January 1864, the year in which Quinta Couselo, one of the oldest wineries in the D.O. Rías Baixas, was founded. It remained in the hands of the same family until its acquisition in 2013 by Grandes Pagos Gallegos, the current owners.
The vineyards are located in the O Rosal sub-zone, bordered by the Miño River to the south and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. This terroir benefits from a special Atlantic-influenced microclimate that offers mild temperatures, abundant rainfall and the hours of sunshine needed for the grapes to ripen properly.
The three main grape varieties grown here are Albariño, Caíño Blanco and Loureira. The special characteristics of the Albariño and Loureira del Rosal varieties require extended periods of skin maceration to extract the full aromatic potential of the grapes, which must be accompanied by traditional ageing on lees to maintain the right balance between refreshing acidity and the balsamic notes that make these wines an incomparable sensory experience.