Zárate is a family winery located in the Salnés Valley within the Rías Baixas designation of origin in Galicia. The family’s winemaking tradition dates back to 1707 and is associated with Diego Zárate y Murga who became the first Marquis of Montesacro. During the mid-20th century the winery contributed to the development of the modern style of Albariño and its introduction beyond the local market. Ernesto Zárate was one of the founders of the Albariño Festival in Cambados and his wine won the competition during its first three years. Since 2000 the vineyards and winemaking have been managed by Eulogio Pomares. The estate comprises 6.54 hectares of vineyards divided among 11 plots in the parishes of Sisán and Padrenda. The vines have an average age of approximately 30 years while several plots contain considerably older vines used to preserve plant material for new vineyards. The soils are poor and predominantly granitic while the proximity of the Atlantic Ocean brings high humidity, abundant rainfall and mild temperatures. Since 1994 the winery has avoided ploughing its vineyards and maintains permanent natural ground cover without using herbicides or synthetic fertilizers. Production focuses primarily on Albariño wines including Zárate, Balado, Tras da Viña and El Palomar. Individual wines originate from separate vineyard plots and mature in stainless steel tanks, wooden barrels or on their fine lees depending on the character of each site. Zárate also produces limited quantities of wine from traditional Galician red grape varieties as well as grape pomace distillates.