OUR HISTORY
Santiago Ruiz.
The father of Albariño
Santiago Ruiz devoted part of his life to crafting a wine that would express his land and evoke emotion. He was a pioneer in championing the native varieties of O Rosal and in giving Albariño the place it deserved in the world.
His curiosity led him to innovate; his passion, to share. He founded his winery in his seventies, proving that it is never too late to follow what you truly feel. Today, his spirit lives on in every bottle that bears his name.
A historic winery home.
In San Miguel de Tabagón, surrounded by flowers, orange trees, and century-old vineyards, stands Santiago Ruiz’s former winery. A 17th-century house transformed into a living museum to wine and family, where Rosa Ruiz is born and the legacy of the man who made Albariño an enduring emotion lives on.
Key milestones.
1860
The family winery is founded in San Miguel de Tabagón. Santiago’s grandfather produced a wine that was even “recommended by doctors”.
1965
Isabel, Santiago’s daughter, draws a map to guide guests to her wedding. That drawing becomes the winery’s iconic label.
1981
Santiago Ruiz bottles his first wines and turns his passion into a profession, marking the beginning of Rías Baixas as we know it today.
1984
He inaugurates his winery in the family home. Today, transformed into a museum, it is cared for by his daughter Rosa, the soul of the project.
2007
A new winery is built in Tomiño. Technology and respect for origin come together to continue crafting wines with identity.
2015
Rosa Ruiz launches her own wine: a 100% Albariño that pays tribute to her father and her childhood in O Rosal.
2024
Santiago Ruiz celebrates 40 harvests.
2025
Chema Ureta takes over as winemaker. He brings a contemporary perspective to the ongoing creation of wines that inspire.
2026
Launch of the first wine of the “Garden of Varieties Collection” a 100% Loureiro.
Distinctive Style
Wines from O Rosal, one of the five subzones of the Rías Baixas D.O., stand out for their varietal diversity and proximity to the Atlantic, which gives them a distinctive identity: more floral, rounded, aromatic, and balanced than in other areas of the appellation.
The style of Santiago Ruiz is born from balance: freshness, complexity, and elegance in every bottle.
A white wine with an Atlantic soul, crafted from the most representative varieties of O Rosal to create a character that is truly unique in the world.
Today, this legacy continues through a team fully dedicated to capturing the founder’s spirit in every new vintage.
Behind every wine
Rosa Ruiz.
The founder’s daughter, she keeps the family story alive with authenticity and sensitivity. You will find her in the old winery house, where she was born and raised among the vines. She is a bridge between Santiago Ruiz’s legacy and the future of our wine.
Chema Ureta.
After 26 years with Luisa Freire leading the winery, Chema Ureta takes over as head winemaker. With a strong track record and a fresh perspective, he is responsible for crafting wines that reflect the spirit of Santiago Ruiz: emotion and authenticity.
Santiago Ruiz Team.
Our team works with passion and precision every day. They are the ones who understand the vineyard, respect the rhythms of the land, and care for every detail in the winery. Thanks to their dedication, each bottle reflects the soul of the place where our wines are born.