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Martín Códax is a modern and dynamic co-operative, situated to the north of Rías Baixas. It is the largest producer in Galicia and an estate-grown Albariño specialist, conducting ongoing research into the variety. Martín Códax was founded in 1986 by 50 families, led by ninth generation winemaker Luciano Amoedo and has since grown to over 550 members. The co-operative was named Martín Códax after the medieval poet and minstrel who lived in Galicia. Martín Códax was instrumental in the creation of the Rías Baixas DO in 1988 (the statutes were signed at the winery) and has championed the Albariño variety, now the most widely planted in the region. Luciano Amoedo still heads the winemaking team and has sat on the Wine Tasting Committee of the Rías Baixas DO since it was founded. There is a large feminine presence at the winery, including enologist Katia Álvarez. Katia followed her degree in viticulture in Santiago de Compostela with two seasons in a Chilean vineyard, before returning to her native Galicia. At Martín Códax, she has the freeD. to experiment with Albariño and is currently looking into extending the variety’s shelf life through oak barrel fermentation. Martín Códax has 420 hectares of vineyard planted with Albariño (13% of the total Rías Baixas DO), with each family holding averaging less than one hectare in size. They are primarily located in the Salnés Valley, which is particularly suited to the Albariño variety and now represents 70% of its total production. This cool valley sits five kilometres from the sea and benefits from its cooling influence at night, which ensures the fresh, pure aromatics are retained to balance the ripeness and weight derived from the warm days.