Heroic viticulture is a unique method of growing grapes on terraces, rather than in the more conventional fields. This technique has been used for centuries in various regions across the globe, including the Ribeira Sacra in Spain, the Valle Aosta in Italy, and Vallay in Switzerland.
Land with a slope of more than 30%, an altitude above 500 meters above sea level, and vineyards on terraces or from small islands all share one common feature: an orography that makes mechanization difficult.
Heroic viticulture is practiced in areas with steep terrain and challenging topography, where growing grapes on terraces is the only practical way to produce wine. This process requires a significant amount of manual labor and effort, resulting in a smaller yield compared to regions with more favorable conditions
Despite these challenges, heroic viticulture is important because it preserves the diversity of grape varieties and terroir in these regions. Each terrace has a unique microclimate and manual labor allows for greater attention to each plant, resulting in wines with unique characteristics and flavors.
In addition, heroic viticulture is a way to preserve the landscape and environment of these areas. The terraces are a way to maximize the available space and reduce the need for heavy machinery and chemicals, which in turn reduces pollution and protects the soil and water.
In addition to the Ribeira Sacra in Spain and the Valle d'Aosta, heroic viticulture is also practiced in other regions of the world such as California, China, Germany, Portugal, and Tenerife.
Heroic viticulture has been recognized internationally and there are several awards and contests that recognize wines produced in this way. For example, the international competition "Terra Vitis" is a contest that recognizes wines produced sustainably, including those produced with heroic viticulture. There are also specific contests that focus on heroic viticulture, such as the "Premio de la Viticultura Heroica," which is held annually in the Mosel Valley.
As for the wines of the Ribeira Sacra, they have received very good scores in international contests. For example, at the international competition "Decanter World Wine Awards," several wines from the Ribeira Sacra have received the maximum "platinum" rating and have won gold medals. They have also received very good scores at the "International Wine Challenge" and at the "Concours Mondial de Bruxelles." These results demonstrate the quality and prestige of wines produced with heroic viticulture in the Ribeira Sacra and other regions of the world.
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