How it all started..
The vineyard is more than 100 years old. The regional organic wine, Liébana wine, is made from its Mencía and Jerezana grapes. Segundo Camacho is the viticulturist who does all the work of the vineyard, the harvest and the winemaking process. In exchange, we get some of our own wine, the rest is served at their bar. You can find Segundo at the Los Camachos bar, in the center of Potes. It’s always good to have a drink there and/or eat authentic regional dishes.
The finca was built in 1970 by Luis and Pilar. It was a place to enjoy the summer days, to rest when they had a moment. It was not yet habitable, with a corrugated iron roof and no electricity. But the beginning was there!
In 1998 it was bought by Clara Petisco. She has worked hard for years to turn it into a real house with a solid roof and electricity and a pool. She loved this place as much as we do. In the mountains, but within walking distance of the lively medieval town center with its charming people. I still see Clara regularly and she has always been involved in the finca.
In 2019 we were lucky to follow her. We have modernized the house (upper apartment), the cellar (ground floor apartment) has been converted into a second home and the bakery has been converted into a chalet with all the comforts. With the help of Potes’ best workers, the renovation was completed in the first half of 2020, led by Tete and despite all the obstacles in the time of covid. After that, we did the furnishing with friends, a great adventure that we remember with pleasure.
We are often asked how we got to this.
Well, that started in 2014. The boys were 8 then (almost 9) and we went to a mountaineering camp with the NKBV for the first time. I love Spain (I studied in Madrid) so we went to camp in the Picos de Europa. Trekking, caving, canyoning, paragliding… Since then we have gone to mountaineering camps every summer and always to a different place, but the Picos remain for me the most beautiful mountain area with its magical mist over the steep rocks .
That’s why in 2019 I went to Potes for a week with my good friend Beatriz (from Bilbao, also a beautiful city), to try the town again and find my way around a vacation home. It may have gotten a little out of hand, the result is La Finca Roja. I have never regretted this project for a moment. Despite the cultural differences and all the “I’m leaving” cautionary tales (on the Dutch television), I enjoyed working with the locals. We were received with great hospitality in the Lebaniega community of Potes and we are happy here.
Delighted to share this happy place with you!
Aldine, Jasper, Siebe.