Emilio Santos and Josefa Álvarez, last members of the Brotherhood of Monterrei Wines

Josefa Álvarez Araújo and Emilio Santos Rodríguez will be, from August 11, the last two members to join the Brotherhood of Monterrei Wines.

Two members, with strong ties to the region of Monterrei, who are recognized with this appointment their dedication, passion and work in the wine sector. Josefa Álvarez, “Morena”, is the best example of pride and love for the vineyard. Born in 1965 in As Chas (Oímbra), since childhood she always helped her parents in the care of the vines and grapes. After studying an administrative cycle, and working for several years in Andorra, he decided to return to his locality to take care of what he liked most. “I am proud to work in the field, I am very happy to be next to the vineyards, and there I take care of all the work, from pruning, grafting, harvesting…”, highlights Álvarez Araújo, “although there were difficult moments, as happened with the fires, I have always worked to recover the vineyards, since they are my life”.

The case of Emilio Santos, “Lucho” from Gondulfes, represents the figure of both wine grower and bartender, thus closing the cycle from the strain to the cup. He was born in 1939 in Gondulfes (Castrelo do Val), in a family dedicated to livestock and trade with a shop in his native town. After studying at La Salle school in Verín, he went to Ourense. His natural urge not to forget the countryside, led him to return and take over both the vineyards and his father’s business. Little by little, both “Lucho” and his wife turned their tavern into a meeting place, where customers became friends. His sympathy, attention and bonhomía without limits consolidated as essential a large pilgrimage of customers to this town in the council of Castrelo do Val, in the territory of D.O. Monterrei, An influx that intensified on weekends and summers with the most disparate representatives of the entire Spanish geography.

The celebration of the Brotherhood of Monterrei Wines will be at 18.30 hours, in the Parish Church of Verín (free entry until full capacity).