DO Valdeorras. The second oldest Designation of Origin of Galicia

The Valdeorras Designation of Origin was considered as such in 1945, but it did not obtain its legal regulation until 1957. These two dates establish the existence of this designation. Because of this, Valdeorras is the second oldest designation of Galicia. Although, due to the approval date of its regulation, it should be sharing the first place with the Ribeiro Designation, since they obtained it at the same time. The Ribeiro Designation was the first one recognized, in 1932, although the first regulation was granted in July, 31th of 1957, so both should share the same date.

In order to avoid confusion with the dates, it is convenient to point out the difference between the year when it was considered a designation of origin, 1945, and the year 1957, when the rules of procedure for the operation of the DO and its Control Board were approved. Designations were regulated and legislated during the last century by the Wine Statute of 1932 until the Act 24/2003 on the Vine and Wine. The oldest designations date back to 1932 (Jeréz, Manzanilla, Montilla-Moriles, Rioja, etc.) although they did not obtain any legislation to operate until two years later. The same thing happened to the DO Valdeorras, which was recognized in 1945 but it did not obtain its initial regulation until 1957.
In July, 31th of 1957, Minister of Agriculture of Spain Cirilio Cánovas García approved the order which approves the Regulation of the Control Board of the Valdeorras Designation of Origin, after receiving the proposal issued by the Control Board of Valdeorras itself. This organism was legally constituted few months before, on the basis of an Order of December, 6th of 1956. This regulation was approved according to the Wine Statute – Act on May, 26th of 1933.
In the chapter I, section 2, there are the varieties which were covered in that moment. “The grapes that produce the wines from Valdeorras are: whites, the ones called “Jeréz” and “Godello”; and reds, the ones called “Garnacha”, “Alicante”, “Mencía” and “Grau Negro”. Any grapes that do not appear in the previous paragraph are for the time being excluded to elaborate Valdeorras wine […]”.

DATES
Obtaining the Valdeorras DO consideration: July, 27th of 1945.
Constitution of the Control Board: Order on December, 6th of 1956.
Approval of the regulation for the DO and the Control Board: Order on July, 31th of 1957.

*The information about the date of recognition and approval appear on the public information that has on its web page the Ministry of Environment, Rural and Marine Affairs of Spain.
**We also wish to express our deep appreciation to IEV (Institute for Valdeorras Studies) president, Aurelio Blanco Trincado, for letting us to use its documents and texts.