Iria Otero is an emerging winemaker in Spain who has gained recognition for her thoughtful approach to viticulture and winemaking. Based in Galicia in northwestern Spain, Otero focuses on working with indigenous grape varieties that thrive in the region's cool, Atlantic-influenced climate.
Otero employs sustainable and organic practices in the vineyard, eschewing synthetic chemicals or pesticides. She believes in minimal intervention, allowing the natural characteristics of the terroir to shine through in the finished wines. Otero pays careful attention to canopy management and yield control to ensure optimal ripeness and concentration in the grapes.
As a winemaker, Otero takes a hands-off approach in the cellar, using native yeasts for fermentation and avoiding unnecessary additives or manipulations. She often opts for neutral vessels like concrete tanks or used oak barrels for aging to preserve the purity of fruit flavors. Otero's winemaking philosophy aligns closely with the principles of natural wine production, though she does not strictly adhere to any formal certification.
Sustainability is a key focus for Otero beyond just organic farming practices. She has implemented water conservation measures in the vineyard, an important consideration given the increasing challenges of drought in parts of Spain. Otero also emphasizes biodiversity, maintaining areas of native vegetation between vineyard rows to promote a healthy ecosystem.
Otero's wines have garnered praise for their freshness, clarity of fruit, and sense of place. Her work represents a new generation of Spanish winemakers who are reinterpreting traditional varieties and techniques through a lens of sustainability and minimal intervention. While still early in her career, Otero is helping to shape the future direction of Spanish wine, particularly in Galicia's emerging wine regions.
