It is not easy, because the number could be greater, but we are going to try to give you five reasons why, from Bodega del Abad, we believe that El Bierzo is a paradise, an overflowing natural setting and a historical vessel that preserves a good part of its traditional culture. But, above all, El Bierzo maintains intact that frontier and warlike imprint that the orography has carved into its inhabitants.
The first reason relates to its environmental values. Its own relief, where the crests of La Aquiana, Mount Irago and the circle of mountains that connects us to Asturias and Galicia stand out. The Ancares Natural Park is a must-see in this regard.
Another very powerful and highly relevant reason is its agricultural landscape, in which vines, vegetable gardens and fruit trees stand out alongside centuries-old chestnut trees in a true basin that makes the difference in ripening and vegetative cycles.
If there is a tree culturally linked to El Bierzo, it is the chestnut tree. Chestnut groves are scattered throughout the Bierzo landscape, including the Las Médulas landscape, a World Heritage Site. After the harvest, in the middle of autumn, magostos take place in all the villages. A compelling reason to enjoy wine and chestnuts.
There is another ancient face of El Bierzo. Its Jacobean imprint. The impact of the Way of Saint James throughout the region is remarkable. The very architecture of the cities and villages, bridges and part of the place names are linked to the pilgrimage to Santiago for a thousand years. Today, hostels, Jacobean signs and pilgrims are part of everyday life.
An option that complements all the previous ones is the wine-growing wealth of El Bierzo. Its old vines and its new wineries. Its historic wines, which today carry the name of a grape variety such as Mencía throughout the world and that of the Godello grape in its white wines. Visits to the wineries, to the vineyards located on the beautiful slopes of El Bierzo, combined with a gastronomy strongly marked by botillo, cured meats, vegetables and fruits, make this region a small paradise with many more than five reasons to be visited. For this reason we would like to invite you to visit Bodega del Abad. There are plenty of reasons to come to our home. You can contact us by email at comercial@bodegadelabad.com or by phone at 987 562 417 for visits in Spanish, and 677 598 850 for visits in English, Monday to Friday from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. We look forward to seeing you!