Bodegas La Senda

Diego Losada, a native of Ponferrada, Bierzo, is a self-proclaimed 'radical' and 'anarchist' in his own right. At the age of 16, he formed a heavy metal band with his schoolmates. For Diego, music was raw and unfiltered - a genuine outlet to express his frustrations with mainstream society and the constraints it imposes. After years in the conventional winemaking world, Diego decided to break free. In 2012, he founded Bodega La Senda in a humble space on the outskirts of Ponferrada, his hometown. There, he vowed to infuse the same ethos from his music into winemaking, crafting wines that are unadulterated, uncompromising, and inherently expressive.

Navigating the challenges of Bierzo, Diego's wines derive their uniqueness and excellence. His small plots scattered across the valley and mountain slopes boast old vines (minimum 50 years), low yields, and steep gradients - characteristics that make them challenging yet distinctive. Each plot, a testament to the region's ancient geological history, presents a mosaic of minerals - clay or calcareous soils mingled with slate, iron, gold, or quartz. Bierzo's climate adds another layer of complexity - a long, often harsh winter followed by a short, relentlessly humid summer (with an average humidity of 80-90%).

Diego compares his winemaking approach to raising a child - allowing freedom for development and self-expression while providing necessary protection and guidance. He intervenes minimally in the vineyard, using sulfur only when deemed essential, and preferring biodynamic preparations like horsetail for gentle treatment. In the cellar, Diego believes in giving wines time and space to evolve. Aging in cement or ancient wood vessels allows the wine to breathe and mature naturally. His gentle maceration process, usually just a few days of whole berries before pressing, avoids any forceful extraction. As a self-professed radical, Diego abstains from filtering, fining, or adding sulfur in the cellar.

The result? Wines that are pure, vibrant, and mineral-driven. They embody the honesty and essence of their terroir, reflecting Diego's distinct style and reverence for the region.