2024 Valdesil Montenovo Godello

history and region of bodegas Valdesil

Bodegas Valdesil was founded in 1885 by José Ramón Gayoso, a pioneer in reintroducing the Godello grape to Valdeorras. After decades of family tradition, the current generation, the Prada-Gayoso family, reacquired several historic plots, such as Pedrouzos, starting in 2001. The winery is located along the Sil River in Galicia, in a mountainous region with slate soils. This terroir, combined with the Atlantic climate and wide temperature ranges, produces wines with lively acidity and mineral depth.

Terroir, climate and grapes of Montenovo 2024

The winery uses pristine Godello grapes, sourced from vineyards on high-altitude slopes of blue slate. The cool climate of Valdeorras allows for slow ripening, while the nights preserve the grapes' fresh acidity. The mountainous location enhances the minerality of the final product.

harvest, fermentation and vinification

All the grapes for the Montenovo 2024 vintage are hand-picked and rigorously sorted directly in the cellar. Fermentation takes place with natural yeasts, plot by plot, with a limited maceration of the skins. No oak aging takes place: the wine undergoes gentle cold stabilization and mild filtration to preserve its pure expression.

color and scent profile

The Montenovo has a light straw-yellow color with green hues and a bright sparkle, typical of a young Godello. The wine has a refined nose that combines citrus fruits (lemon, grapefruit), apple, pear, and tropical fruits like pineapple. Subtle floral notes and a maritime minerality add depth. On the palate, the Montenovo presents itself dry, with a medium body and balance. The fresh acidity and saline minerality provide structure, complemented by hints of pear, peach, and citrus. The finish is clean, medium-length, and refreshing, with a lingering mouthfeel and a light spiciness.

food pairing & drinking advice

This wine pairs perfectly with seafood such as shellfish, lobster, or marinated fish dishes; it also pairs well with light chicken or salad accompaniments. For a truly gourmet experience, Montenovo pairs beautifully with sushi or dishes with a mild cream sauce. Serving temperature: 8–10°C. Drinking window: now until approximately 2028.

prizes, awards and reviews

The Montenovo line previously won gold and a trophy at the International Wine Challenge, with aromas of lemon, spices and mint.

Rated 8.5 by Harold Hamersma

FACT: In the "Attachments" tab, you'll find the official fact sheet for this fine wine. We'll automatically send it to you when you order it. The wine is stored in our climate-controlled Wine Warehouse, and if you pick it up, you'll often receive a nice discount. You'll see your discount immediately when you select "Pick up" at checkout. We're located in Dordrecht, right next to the A16 motorway with ample parking. Click here for our address.

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About Valdesil

In the far northwest of Spain lies Galicia, a region that deviates sharply from the stereotypical Spanish wine landscape. Here, no arid plains, but green hills, granite soils, and Atlantic influences. It's a cool, wet area where sunshine seems rare, yet grapes like Godello flourish. It's here, in the Val do Sil—literally, "the valley of the river Sil"—that the Valdesil family estate is located. This winery has a special bond with the region: since 1885, the Prada family has cultivated ancient Godello vineyards on steep terraces.

What makes Valdesil so unique is its focus on micro-terroir. Instead of mass and volume, precision and provenance are paramount. Some plots are situated on centuries-old dry terraces, hand-built with dry stones. The mineral-rich subsoil of slate and quartz, combined with the cool climate, gives the wines exceptional freshness, tension, and depth. The oldest vines—some over 100 years old—are deeply rooted and yield concentrated grapes with character.

The name Val de Sil , or "Golden Valley," speaks volumes about the quality and potential of this terroir. The sun reflects off the river water and, combined with the altitude and fresh air, ensures the grapes ripen slowly. This gives the wines their characteristic balance of citrusy acidity, salty minerality, and ripe fruit. Valdesil captures these qualities like no other in elegant white wines that rival top wines from Burgundy or the Mosel.