Lagar de Pintos

Situated in the Salnés Valley—the northernmost subzone of Rías Baixas in Galicia—Lagar de Pintos operates as a small family estate. Sisters Marta and Carmen Castro-Pintos tend organically farmed Albariño across 5.5 hectares under the guidance of viticulturist Dominique Roujou de Boubée. The property features a traditional Galician pazo, a manor house belonging to the Pintos family for four generations. Their grandfather planted the first vines in the 1950s, and their father Pepe modernised the operation in the 1980s as the region embraced Albariño. What sets Lagar de Pintos apart is their precision approach: seven separate vineyard plots, each with distinct soil composition, fermented individually to capture terroir character in the finished wine.

About Lagar de Pintos

Seven individually named vineyard parcels define the estate's holdings: Arnela Puente, Albar, La Escusa, Cachadiña, Requeixo, Gatiñeira, and Palomar. Each plot contains varying proportions of granite and sandy soils, which directly influence ripening speed—vines on granite-heavy soils ripen up to 20 days earlier than those on sandier ground. This natural variation allows Marta to harvest at optimal ripeness for each parcel rather than treating all fruit identically. In the winery, the philosophy emphasizes minimal intervention and indigenous character. Marta's winemaking protocol treats each parcel as a distinct expression: native yeasts drive fermentation, while stainless steel vessels serve as the aging medium for seven to eight months, with extended sur lies contact to build complexity. Marta deliberately avoids malolactic fermentation, a choice that preserves the fresh, lively fruit qualities for which Rías Baixas Albariño is recognised. The result is wines with pronounced citrus aromatics, concentrated palates, and a saline minerality that reflects the estate's proximity to the Atlantic coast. The flagship wine, the standard Lagar de Pintos Albariño, is a carefully balanced blend of all seven plots. The limited-production 3000 Cepas is a different expression: only four thousand bottles are made from a small parcel of 60-year-old pergola-trained vines. This wine ages for 12 months in old oak barrels, developing concentration and textural complexity uncommon in Albariño.

Lagar de Pintos Wines in Our Collection

The 2024 Rías Baixas Albariño (92 points) is the core expression of the estate's multi-plot approach. Expect zesty citrus on the nose, a concentrated grapefruit-accented palate, and a saline trace on the finish that reflects both vineyard and coastal influence. This is a flavourful, complex Albariño designed for serious drinking rather than casual refreshment. The 2023 3000 Cepas Rías Baixas Albariño (89 points, Vivino 4.1) represents a richer, age-worthy alternative. The 12-month oak maturation adds texture and weight without sacrificing the freshness that defines the producer's style. This wine suits those seeking a more structured, textured Albariño with bottle-ageing potential. Both wines exemplify the Salnés Valley's capacity to produce Albariño with mineral precision and Atlantic salinity. Choose the standard bottling for everyday drinking with seafood or shellfish; select the 3000 Cepas when you want deeper concentration and complexity alongside special meals.

Food Pairing

Lagar de Pintos Albariño is built for seafood: grilled sole, steamed clams, langoustines, or oysters all benefit from the wine's citrus acidity and saline minerality. The grapefruit notes work beautifully with crab and white fish dressed simply with lemon. The 3000 Cepas, with its added texture, partners well with shellfish risotto or whole roasted sea bass. Both versions complement Spanish seafood dishes, particularly Galician-style preparations with garlic, peppers, or Galician broth.

What makes Lagar de Pintos different from other Rías Baixas producers?

They ferment each of their seven vineyard plots separately, allowing harvest timing based on individual soil ripeness. This parcel precision, combined with organic farming and avoidance of malolactic fermentation, produces unusually fresh, mineral Albariño.

Is the standard Albariño or the 3000 Cepas the better choice?

The 2024 Rías Baixas (92 points) is the flagship multi-plot blend for everyday drinking. The 3000 Cepas (89 points) is limited-production and oak-aged 12 months, offering richer texture and complexity for special occasions or cellaring.

How long have the Pintos family been making wine?

Vines were first planted in the 1950s by their grandfather. The modern estate was shaped by their father Pepe's modernisation in the 1980s. Today, sisters Marta and Carmen manage the operation with consultant viticulturist support.

Who makes Lagar de Pintos wines?

Sisters Marta and Carmen Castro-Pintos run this small family estate in the Salnés Valley, Galicia. Their grandfather planted the first vines in the 1950s; their father Pepe modernised the operation in the 1980s. Viticulturist Dominique Roujou de Boubée guides their organic farming across 5.5 hectares.

What style of wine does Lagar de Pintos make?

Lagar de Pintos specialises in Albariño with pronounced citrus aromatics, concentrated palates, and saline minerality. The 2024 scored 92 points. Native yeasts and minimal intervention fermentation preserve fresh, lively fruit—the winery deliberately avoids malolactic fermentation.

How much does Lagar de Pintos wine cost?

Lagar de Pintos wines range between £20.20 and £29.25. The 2024 standard Albariño is £20.20; the limited 3000 Cepas, aged 12 months in oak, is £29.25.