New Artisanal Wine Partner Luis Anxo Rodriguez Joins Cosecha

We are thrilled to welcome artisanal winemaker Luis Anxo Rodriguez Vasquez to the Cosecha Imports family. We now carry five of his incredible handcrafted wines in our portfolio.

Humble, passionate and exceptionally talented - Luis Anxo Rodgriguez  has been crafting show-stopping artisanal wines in Ribeiro, Spain for over 30 years. His goal has remained focused throughout his entire winemaking career: showcase the brilliance and dimension of the area’s indigenous grape varieties that were nearly extinct a few decades ago.   

Ribeiro is in the northwest corner of Spain in the autonomous region of Galicia bordering the Atlantic coast. During the 16th and 18th century, the Ribeiro winemaking region was world-renowned. Ribeiro wines were being traded heavily across the Atlantic, with England serving as a major importing customer. 

A series of natural and human disasters including war with England, oidium and mildew fungal diseases, phylloxera infestations on vineyards and civil war significantly affected the area’s winemaking potential. 

Ribeiro descended into bulk-scale wine production as a result, but thanks to small-scale independent Galician producers known as colleiteros like Luis Anxo Rodgriguez, there has been a bold movement towards producing award-winning artisanal wines that speak to the Ribeiro’s true terroir. All Cosecha Imports wines are handcrafted, made in smaller batches and available for delivery in Toronto.

A lifelong devotee of Ribeiro winemaking, Luis is one of the most well-versed winemakers in Galicia. After studying oenology and philosophy in Madrid, he traveled to study Europe’s great winemaking regions and served as the president of the Ribeiro D.O. for several years. He accumulated 5 hectares of vineyard land spread out over nearly 200 micro plots in the village of Arnoia where he grew up, home to some of the steepest vineyards in the region.

Luis’ vines range from 10-50 years old and soils are made up of decomposed granite with sandy topsoil. Having grown up in the village, Luis knows where the best vineyards are and has planted many of the vines himself. 

He has been consistently transitioning the vineyards from bulk-production varieties like Palomino and Garnacha Tintorera (Alicante Bouschet) to native varieties such as Treixadura,Brancellao, Ferrol,  Caiño Redondo, Caiño Longo and Lado.

His philosophy on grape growing is to keep things as natural as possible. No herbicides are ever used, treatments are only applied when absolutely necessary and are never applied one month before harvest to preserve the grapes’ natural wild yeasts that help kickstart the fermentation process. Now for the artisanal wines themselves, which are all available online and for delivery in Toronto.

Artisanal Wine Pick 1
Vina de Martin Os Pasas 2018

A light-to-medium bodied white blend of mostly Treixadura with Lado, Torrontes and Albarino from 10-25 year vines grown on granitic soils in the village of Arnoia. Fermented with native yeasts in steel vat and raised in vat on the lees for 10-12 months. Subtle flavours of citrus, honey and seashell minerality with a fresh finish.

$53.00 single bottle / $318.00 case of 6 

Artisanal Wine Pick 2
A Torna Dos Pasas 2017

Fresh and aromatic, this medium-bodied red is a blend of 40% Brancanello and equal parts Caiño Longo, and Ferro from 10-20 year old vines grown on the granitic hills of Arnoia. This wine was fermented with native yeasts in steel vat, and raised i  mol n used 300 liter French oak barrels for 12 months. Lush and spicy with notes of red fruits, pepper and purple flowers.

Pair this wine with spicy foods, pork dishes or rich fish like Swordfish or Tuna.

$53.00 single bottle / $318.00 case of 6

Artisanal Wine Pick 3
A Teixa 2017

Vibrant, textured and expressive, this is a single-vineyard white blend of mostly Treixadura, Godello and Albarino grown in the town of Ribadavia. This wine is fermented spontaneously with native yeasts in a 23hl foudre, raised on the lees for 1 year in the same foudre, and then released after 1 year in the bottle. Aromatic and lush with notes of sea salt and honeysuckle.

Pair this wine with rich seafood or a white sauce pasta. 

$70.00 single bottle / $420.00 case of 6

Artisanal Wine Pick 4
Vina de Martin Escolma 2015

 Complex, age-worthy and medium bodied, this red wine comes from the lowest-yielding vines of mainly Treixadura grown on Arnoia’s granitic slopes. The wine was wild yeast fermented in a variety of sizes of French oak barrels, raised on the lees for 12 months, and further aged in the bottle for 36 months. Well structured and balanced with notes of quince fruit and vivid minerality.

Pair this wine with lobster, crab, saucy dishes or game.

$104.00 single bottle / $624.00 case of 6

Artisanal Wine Pick 5
A Torna dos Pasas 2015

This wine is a field blend of the lowest yielding old vines on the south-facing granitic hills of Arnoia. This top cuvée was wild yeast fermented in barrel, raised in a mix of new and old 300 liter French oak barrels for a minimum of 12 months, and further aged in the bottle for 36 months. Complex and age-worthy, this wine gives notes of wild red fruit, leather, spices, and earthy mineral flavors.  

Pair this wine with game, roasted meats, rich stews, and pork dishes. 

$104.00 single bottle / $624.00 case of 6

Luis Anxo Rodriguez is an incredibly talented and passionate Spanish winemaker. His natural and low-intervention approach to winemaking, unique use of indigenous Mediterranean varietals and eternally humble attitude set him apart from the rest. We are thrilled to have Luis join the Cosecha family and to be the exclusive Ontario importer of his delicious artisanal Spanish wines.