HISTORY
Ribadavia municipal ordinances of 1579 already established the places and parishes where producing and selling Ribeiro were allowed, which manipulating operations were permitted and which sanctions were given to the ones who did not abide those ordinances. Those ordinances are a precedent for the present regulations of the D.O. In fact, the “OMPI” (World Organization of Intellectual Property) acknowledges them as the first evidence of a protection of a geographical indication in Spanish laws. In 1932 Ribeiro Designation of Origin (D.O.) became protected thanks to the Wine Status publishing that was converted in law on 26th May 1933. The regulating Council was later formed by means of the order of December 6 1956. The first Regulation was approved in 1957. A second Regulation was later published on 2nd February 1976 that was modified by means of the order of April 19th 2004. It was published in the “Galicia Official Gazette” in April 28 2004 to include the Ribeiro “Vino Tostado” as a covered product because of its historical making process and for being a natural sweet wine that represents one of the greatest Ribeiro wines, first and unique for its characteristics in Spain
The Regulation was modified on 31st July 2009 to adapt it to the new OCM (Common Organization of Agricultural Markets) of the wine sector (Rule (CE)) 473/2008) changing the Ribeiro C.R.D.O. to be a corporation governed by public law and supported by the law and having its own legal personality. On 5th January 2017 the December 23 2016 ORDER was published in the Galician Official Gazette approving the Contract Specification of the Designation of Origin Ribeiro, a step further for the updating and modernizing of the regional sector, and where important novelties related to the yield and the wine making process were introduced.GUARANTEE OF ORIGIN AND QUALITY
ORIGIN
At the beginning the consignments intended to be sold were certified as Ribeiro bulk wine. On the basis of the harvest declarations presented by the wine growers and the makers of the regulating Council, each consignment for selling was registered, while the supervisors of the Council in inspection visits controlled the selling consignments in the establishments.
Around 1957 the wine was bottled and sold mainly in Galicia. That year a pioneer D.O. winery bottled sparkling wines following the procedure of Penedès wine makers. At present sparkling wines are legally covered under the Designation of Origin.
In 1964 there was for the first time the Ribeiro Wine Fair in Ribadavia (Ourense) that was advertised with a caravan that went round Galicia. The bottles were sealed over the cap, seal that was issued by the Regulating Council especially for the occasion.
Around 1967 the first label controls started by means of a die done on the labels.
From 1977 onwards, with difficulty and effort, the certifier seal was imposed so it was publicly acknowledged as Ribeiro Designation of Origin.
The design of the first label was different from the ones that already existed in those years in Spain. It was made so in order to show the map of each zone in the region and based on the shields and anagrams picturing Ribeiro and Galicia: shield of the Xunta de Galicia (regional Government of Galicia),shield of Ourense, shield of Ribadavia and 13 Ribadavia Castle roundels. In 1992 it was redesigned with other measurements but the same anagrams.
CERTIFICATION SEAL
In January 2017, 40 years later, the Ribeiro C.R.D.O. presented their new design adapting it to the new times and with a new image.
The objective is to show the personality of the Ribeiro wine combining the essence of a centenary designation of origin with a harmonious and genuine brand opting for the future. One of the most significant changes is the unification of all the types of wines produced by the Designation of Origin in only one label: white, red, Ribeiro Tostado and Espumoso (Toasted and Sparkling). A specific numbering on each seal insures the quality control, the guarantee of origin and the traceability of the consignments.
At the end of the 80s the Casa Real de la Moneda, Fabrica Nacional de la Moneda y timbre (Royal Spanish Mint) started to print the seals for the D.O.Ribeiro Regulating Council, a guarantee product that includes several security measures.
FUNCTIONS
Continuous improvement of the quality of the product, increasing the difference and the preservation of our own characteristics without losing the technical necessary evolution. Strict quality control from the yield to the marketing.
Guarantee of Origin on the back label issued by the Regulating Council.The extension of the current selling markets and the creation of new national and international markets.
Reinforcement of the representative and peculiar Ribeiro native varieties with investigation, conversion and restructuring of the vineyards. Adjustment to the wine sector legislative structures. Care and protection of the wines covered by the Designation.OBJECTIVES
Continuous improvement of the quality of the product, increasing the difference and the preservation of our own characteristics without losing the technical necessary evolution.- Strict quality control from the yield to the marketing.
- Guarantee of Origin on the back label issued by the Regulating Council.
- The extension of the current selling markets and the creation of new national and international markets.
- Reinforcement of the representative and peculiar Ribeiro native varieties with investigation, conversion and restructuring of the vineyards.
- Adjustment to the wine sector legislative structures.
- Care and protection of the wines covered by the Designation.
ORGANISATION CHART
Control board
- President
- Vice president
- Members: three wine growing representatives, three wine industry representatives, three cooperative sector representatives and one harvester sector representative.
- Two members on behalf of the Minister of Rural Affairs from the Xunta de Galicia (Regional Government of Galicia).
The Control Board is organized in two committees: Commission for Promoting and Permanent Commission for specific matters.
- Secretary-Manager
- Technical department
- Promoting and Marketing Department
- Administration Department
SUPERVISORY BODY
They systematically control the self control system of the operators who make and market the wine covered by the Designation of Origin and their traceability. The board is made up of inspectors, technicians, observers and an organoleptic tasting panel.
QUALITY CERTIFYING COMMITTEE
Committee created by the Regulating Council to take decisions related to the winery products certification.
COMMITTEE OF QUALITY GUARANTEE
This committee is independent from the Regulating Council and is involved in the certifying process operations.
