Paco & Lola (often labelled as “Arousana” for their flagship Albariño) is a dynamic, modern winery based in the Rías Baixas appellation of north-western Spain, on the Atlantic coast of Galicia. Founded by the family behind José Luis Mateo, Paco & Lola has quickly gained a reputation for its stylish presentation, terroir-expressive wines and contemporary flair.

The vineyards are located in the sub-zone of Salnés, where cooling sea breezes and Atlantic influences help preserve sharp acidity and aromatic freshness in the grapes. Soils here are largely granitic with sandy topsoils, offering good drainage and imparting a mineral vibrancy to the wines. The focus is firmly on Albariño, Galicia’s signature white grape, which thrives in these cool, maritime conditions.

Paco & Lola’s Arousana bottlings are celebrated for their lively, aromatic beauty. In the glass, the wine shows pale straw hues and a nose abundant with citrus peel, green apple, white flowers and a subtle saline edge. The palate is light- to medium-bodied yet bright and vibrant, offering zesty acidity, mouth-watering minerality and flavours of lime, pear and a slight herbal lift. With their crisp, refreshing profile and elegantly balanced structure, these wines are ideal companions to seafood and lighter dishes.

From their eye-catching, label-design that leaps off the shelf to their expressive, modern Albariño, Paco & Lola (Arousana) captures both the style and substance of contemporary Rías Baixas winemaking.

Galicia, in Spain’s verdant northwest, is a cool, maritime wine region shaped by the Atlantic Ocean. The climate is mild and humid, with abundant rainfall and mist, fostering lush vegetation but requiring skilled vineyard management to prevent disease. Coastal breezes moderate temperatures, extending the growing season and preserving vibrant acidity in the grapes.

The region’s soils vary by subzone: in Rías Baixas, granitic sands dominate, offering excellent drainage and imparting minerality; Ribeiro features alluvial and schist-based soils; Valdeorras is rich in slate, while Monterrei and Ribeira Sacra combine granite, slate, and clay. These diverse terroirs allow for a range of wine styles.

Galicia’s star white grape is Albariño, producing crisp, aromatic wines with citrus, stone fruit, and saline notes. Godello offers a fuller-bodied style with pear, apple, and subtle floral complexity. Treixadura, Loureiro, and Caiño Branco add aromatic lift and texture. Reds, though less common, are increasingly valued—Mencía leads with fresh, floral, red-berry character, particularly from Ribeira Sacra and Valdeorras.

Wines from Galicia are typically fresh, vibrant, and expressive, often marked by minerality and a sense of place. Whether bright and zesty Albariños or elegant, fragrant Mencías, Galicia’s wines reflect the region’s Atlantic spirit and unique landscape.

Albariño is a high-quality white grape variety originating from Galicia in northwest Spain, particularly the Rías Baixas region, where it thrives in the cool, damp Atlantic climate. It is also widely grown across the border in northern Portugal, where it is known as Alvarinho and often forms the backbone of Vinho Verde wines.

Viticulturally, Albariño is a small-berried grape with thick skins, which help resist mildew and rot in humid conditions. It performs best in well-drained granite or sandy soils and typically produces low to moderate yields. The grape ripens early and retains high natural acidity, making it ideal for fresh, vibrant white wines.

Outside of the Iberian Peninsula, Albariño has gained international recognition and is now grown in the U.S. (particularly in California and Oregon), Australia, New Zealand, and Uruguay. In these New World regions, winemakers experiment with both unoaked and oaked styles, expanding the grape’s global appeal.

Albariño wines are typically aromatic and zesty, with flavours of peach, apricot, citrus, and green apple, often accompanied by saline or mineral notes. Styles range from crisp, unoaked wines perfect for seafood, to fuller-bodied examples with texture and complexity. Albariño offers freshness, elegance, and strong potential for further global growth.