This grape variety is indigenous to Valdeorras and originates from various crosses and graftings on to wild vines carried out by the first Roman settlers, who reached the area through the Vía Nova linking Braga to Astorga.

Because it was prone to damp conditions, its planting didn’t stretch as far as the Galician coast and so settled in inland Valdeorras. Because of its low resistance to powdery mildew, downy mildew and botrytis, its sensitivity to excessive hot sunshine, and its tendency to produce naturally low yields, painstakingly careful vine-growing was required. This meant that when bulk wine was in great demand, such as in the 1960s, the planting of other easier non-native varieties was preferred.

Around 1975, varietal reconversion was carried out in Valdeorras to re-establish the Godello grape variety. However, unsuitable rootstocks and unfamiliar clones for the region were often used, resulting in heterogeneity in Godello plantations. 
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This situation explains the very great differences in quality in different Godello wines according to the estate where the grapes are grown.