Michelini i Mufatto – Bierzo, Spain

Michelini i Mufatto is the family winery of Gerardo Michelini, Andrea Mufatto, and their son Manu. Mother, father, and son work together in three places: the Uco Valley in Argentina, Bierzo in Spain, and Maldonado in Uruguay. In each one, they look for old vineyards with history and try to make wines that speak clearly of their origins.

The family story starts in Argentina. Gerardo and his brothers helped shape some of the country’s most talked-about labels, including Zorzal and Gen del Alma. Andrea was the winemaker at Gen del Alma. Together, they built a reputation in Mendoza for fresh, terroir-driven wines.

Spain came next. After several trips across the country, Gerardo and Andrea fell for Bierzo, in the mountains of northwest Spain. They were especially drawn to forgotten corners of Ponferrada, such as Valdecañada and Ozuela. Two Bierzo natives, winemakers César Marqués and Raúl Pérez, encouraged them to start making wine there. Today the family works from its own winery in Toral de Merayo, a stone building about two centuries old.

Bierzo is a region of steep slopes, cool nights, and old vines. The family farms organically, on soils made up mostly of clay, slate, and quartz. Their range starts with village-level wines blended from several plots, then moves to a few single-site wines and their top cru, El Rapolao. They have also brought abandoned vineyards back to life, including the old Encinado site.

Manu leads the winemaking. He respects local tradition but isn’t afraid to experiment. The reds are foot-trodden, sometimes with whole bunches, and fermented in clay amphorae or old oak casks. They then age in used barrels and amphorae. With Motorpsico, the family even revived an old village method from Toral de los Vados for making a lighter red. The result is a lineup of Bierzo wines that feel honest, fresh, and full of place.

Michelini i Mufatto ‘Motorpsico’