Quinta da Muradella is the small family run estate of José Luis Mateo, one of the most respected vignerons in the Monterrei region of Galicia in northwestern Spain. Mateo began making wine in the early 1990s on vines that had been neglected, focusing on reviving native varieties and expressing the unique character of the land. The vineyards are farmed organically and have been certified since 2005. While the wines themselves typically do not carry the certification logo on the bottle, the viticulture is officially organic and often regarded as high quality, low intervention farming. All work done by hand on steep slopes at 300m-700m, where soils of slate, clay, granite and quartz give both minerality and freshness. The cool Atlantic influenced climate with warm, dry summers and cool nights encourages slow ripening and vibrant acidity in the grapes. Candea Blanco 2023 is a blend of Doña Blanca, Treixadura and Verdelho, co fermented in stainless steel to preserve purity and fruit expression. After primary fermentation with indigenous yeasts the wine spends over 12 months on its fine lees, gaining texture and subtle complexity while retaining crispness and vibrancy. No malolactic fermentation is undertaken, preserving fresh acidity. The result is an aromatic white with notes of white flowers, citrus peel, wild herbs and a saline mineral undertone, balanced by a creamy lees texture. It pairs beautifully with grilled fish, seafood rice dishes, light salads and Galician cheeses, making it a versatile companion to Mediterranean and Atlantic cuisine.
