Galicia has always inspired pure craftsmanship. Manual work has strong links to rural areas, where crafts and artisan techniques have been preserved generation after generation and live on in the present day. Galicia is rich in natural raw materials: wood, stone, iron, coal, linen, leather and wool, not to mention seashells. This raw material has inspired the craftsmanship of the local inhabitants who have their own language inspired by a unique culture. The proof: there are currently 1,300 craft workshops listed on the Galician Register of Artisans, all of which have demonstrated their use traditional techniques so as to be included. There is virtually no village in Galicia that is not home to someone dedicated to craftsmanship. We at Mar de Frades are also craftsmen, carrying out the manual work on our vineyards, caring for the time it takes to make our wines, while feeling inspired by our land, which is a land of artisan culture. Let’s explore the craftsmanship of Galicia:

The collareiras of O Grove

Necklaces, earrings, chokers and all kinds of jewellery made with shells collected from the Galician beaches and set by hand. A deeply rooted tradition among women in this area, where some collareiras create authentic works of art with innovative designs.

The furniture of A Estrada

The furniture of A Estrada, which, against the current ‘fast furniture’ trend, produces furniture that is 100% solid, following the tradition of several generations that turned A Estrada into the capital of Galician furniture.

Jewellery and goldsmithing

Jewellery pieces are appreciated both for their value and their important ties to Galician traditions and folklore. Both the city of Santiago and its surroundings, as well as the area of Allariz in Ourense, are home to dozens of jewellery and goldsmith workshops where silver and jet are used today just as they were in the Middle Ages. It is the tradition to which the Silver Route owes its name, and whose pieces can be found in many of the great cathedrals and palaces throughout Europe. This tradition has been able to adapt to modern times and continues going strong to this day.

The pottery of Buño

The earliest pottery in Buño dates back to prehistoric times, a tradition that has been transformed over the centuries and has gone from the production of more utilitarian pottery, such as pots, bowls, cups for broth, jugs and plates, to incorporate more decorative pottery that adapts to the latest trends. There is perhaps no other village in Europe like Buño, one that is devoted entirely to ceramics. Buño’s pottery is appreciated both within our borders and abroad, with its pieces being displayed in the museum of the Hispanic Society of America in the USA.

The lacework of Camariñas

The lace designs of Camariñas are characterised by their finesse and delicacy, being intricate and detailed and displaying floral and geometric motifs. This type of lace is often used in the manufacture of clothing, accessories and household items. Lace production in Camariñas has been recognised and protected as part of the region’s intangible cultural heritage, and the tradition remains an important part of the local community’s identity today.

Galicia is inspiration for craft. Galicia’s geography represents a journey embarked upon by artisans who have succeeded in preserving the tradition that has been passed down to them, in an era where handmade products, which are the cultural legacy of centuries, are undervalued. Mar de Frades feels connected with the value of that which is produced by hand, like wine, which, right up until it reaches the glass, is touched by the knowledge of many hands, both on the land and in the winery.

At Mar de Frades, craftsmanship connects us with tradition, with time that is taken slowly, and with the utmost care for what is ours. It connects us with time that is enjoyed and experienced. Because a wine is not simply a product, it is pure craftsmanship that is tied to the land, and is to be enjoyed while valuing our time.