Bodegas Albamar
Bodegas Albamar is a family-run winery in Galicia, Spain, renowned for crafting authentic, terroir-driven Albariño and other wines that capture the coastal influence and mineral elegance of the Rías Baixas and Ribeira Sacra regions.
History of Bodegas Albamar
Founded in 2006 by Xurxo Alba, Bodegas Albamar represents the Alba family’s deep roots in winemaking within the Rías Baixas region. Xurxo’s family has cultivated Albariño vines for generations in O Salnés, Rías Baixas, but it was Xurxo’s passion and oenological studies that led him to establish their own wine label. Xurxo Alba’s approach combines respect for Galician winemaking traditions with a drive to push the boundaries of quality and authenticity, showcasing Albariño’s full potential in single-vineyard and experimental bottlings.
Bodegas Albamar remains firmly rooted in Cambados, a town known as the "heart of Albariño." With vineyards next to his family’s restaurant and artisanal food shop, Xurxo’s connection to the land and sea runs deep. His work focuses on minimal intervention, relying on organic practices in the vineyard and native yeasts in the cellar. Over time, Albamar has expanded its offerings, producing Albariños and reds like Mencía that express both the freshness and complex minerality of Galicia.
Region and Vineyards
Bodegas Albamar’s vineyards are located in Rías Baixas, specifically in the sub-region of O Salnés, and some in the steep, terraced hills of Ribeira Sacra. The Rías Baixas vineyards, set on granite-rich soils near the Atlantic Ocean, benefit from cool coastal breezes, providing Albariño grapes with natural acidity, vibrant freshness, and a distinctive saline character. Meanwhile, in Ribeira Sacra, the challenging terrain of granite and schist soils on steep slopes offers ideal conditions for Mencía, producing wines with purity, finesse, and depth.
The Alba family owns around 2.5 hectares but sources additional grapes from neighboring plots in the O Salnés and Ribeira Sacra regions. All vineyards are cultivated organically, respecting both the environment and the traditional practices of Galicia.
Wine Range
Bodegas Albamar’s portfolio centers around Albariño in multiple expressions, from single-vineyard bottlings to unique cuvées that highlight specific terroirs within Rías Baixas. Wines like Alma de Mar, Pepe Luis, and Sesenta e Nove Arrobas exemplify Albariño’s versatility, with each wine showcasing distinct elements of minerality, salinity, and fruit character. Additionally, Albamar produces a red wine, Fusco, a fresh, mineral-driven Mencía that captures the essence of Ribeira Sacra’s terroir.
Each wine is crafted with a minimal intervention philosophy: spontaneous fermentation, no oak or neutral oak aging, and careful handling with low to no sulfites. Xurxo’s focus is to produce wines that are expressive, pure, and true to their origin.
Did you know?
The name Albamar plays on Xurxo’s love for the sea, as it translates to "white by the sea." This connection to the ocean is not only symbolic but also defines his winemaking style—fresh, saline, and vibrant wines that reflect Galicia’s unique coastal terroir.
