Castañal

A recovered Galician red grape

Castañal is an uncommon Galician red variety, linked to the recovery of traditional grapes and the viticultural diversity of Galicia. For years it remained in the background, preserved in small plots and old vineyards, until the work of committed winemakers allowed it to be valued again.

One of the key names in this recovery is Joaquín “Quín” Álvarez, a Galician winemaker with a long career in vineyard care. His work has been fundamental in keeping this variety alive and demonstrating that Galicia can also express itself through fresh, light, and deeply Atlantic reds.

Castañal was part of the traditional Galician viticultural heritage, along with other red varieties such as Caíño Tinto, Espadeiro, or Sousón. For decades, many of these grapes were overshadowed by the rise of white wines, but today they are regaining interest thanks to small producers who seek to recover the memory of the vineyard.

In the glass, wines made with Castañal usually stand out for their freshness, lively acidity, light to medium body, and an elegant profile, focusing more on tension and subtlety than on power. It can offer notes of red fruit, floral nuances, a mineral background, and a very gastronomic expression.

The Teimosía project, linked to the recovery of this variety, very well represents that idea of perseverance: continuing to work with minority grapes, preserving viticultural heritage, and showcasing a different, fresh, and uniquely Galician red wine identity.

At VinNatura, we are interested in Castañal for what it represents: biodiversity, memory, artisanal work, and an honest way of looking at the future of Galician wine from its roots.