O Barco de Valdeorras, Wine district capital in Ourense, Spain
O Barco de Valdeorras is a municipality in Ourense province situated in the Sil Valley at around 325 meters elevation, ringed by mountain ridges. The area has developed as a wine production region where Godello white wines and Mencía red wines are the primary crops.
The area was once home to the Gegurros people, whose name influenced the valley's historical designation. Roman settlement followed, driven partly by gold mining operations that made the region economically significant.
Wine production has shaped life here for centuries, with Godello and Mencía grapes growing on the terraced slopes around the valley. The local attachment to these varieties reflects how deeply the wine tradition remains woven into daily routines and family heritage.
The municipality is connected to other Galician cities via the N-120 highway and provides lodging options for visitors throughout the area. Planning your accommodations and routes ahead of time helps make the most of exploring this valley region.
The area contains substantial slate quarries that have been a working industry for generations. Walking through the land, visitors can still trace sections of the Via Nova, an ancient Roman road that once connected Braga to Astorga.
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