Gordon Ramsay Showcases Heroic Vineyards in Northern Spain

Gordon Ramsay, the well-known British chef and television personality, recently filmed an episode of his show “Gordon Ramsay: Uncharted” at the Vía Romana winery in the Ribeira Sacra region of Galicia, Spain. The episode, titled “The Galician Coast,” was produced for Disney+ in collaboration with National Geographic. Although Ramsay’s visit to the area was public knowledge at the time, details about the filming and its content were kept confidential until now due to production requirements.

During his time at Vía Romana, located in Chantada in the province of Lugo, Ramsay explored the unique winemaking traditions of the region. He learned about what is known locally as “heroic viticulture,” a term used to describe the challenging process of cultivating grapes on steep terraces along the slopes of the Sil River. These vineyards are considered some of the most difficult to work in Spain due to their sharp inclines and limited access. Ramsay expressed his admiration for both the landscape and the dedication required to produce wine in such conditions.

Ramsay showed particular interest in Vía Romana’s Godello wine, a white wine made from a native grape variety. He used this wine while cooking during the episode and described it as a gourmet product that enhances the flavors of food. The chef also praised other wines from Vía Romana and from another local producer, Méndez-Rojo. At the end of his visit, he took a special selection of these wines back to the United States.

A highlight of the episode was a culinary challenge filmed at the winery itself. Ramsay and his daughter Tilly competed against Galician chef Pepe Vieira and his son Darío. Both teams prepared dishes using local ingredients such as mussels, sea bass, and Galician blond beef, with the dramatic scenery of Ribeira Sacra as their backdrop.

Ramsay’s visit to Vía Romana was part of a broader journey through Galicia for his show. He traveled across both coastal and inland areas, seeking out regional products and learning about local food traditions. Throughout his trip, Ramsay repeatedly expressed his respect for Galician cuisine, noting especially the high quality of its beef and the distinctive character of wines produced on steep terrain under demanding weather conditions.

Although Ramsay regretted not being able to visit during harvest season—a time he said he would like to experience in person on a future trip—he left with a strong impression of both the landscape and its people. The episode featuring Vía Romana is now available for streaming, offering viewers an inside look at one of Spain’s most striking wine regions through Ramsay’s perspective.