Lechazo de Castilla y León

Lechazo de Castilla y León is a Protected Geographical Indication covering carcasses of suckling lamb born and reared in the Autonomous Community of Castile and León, from the Churra, Castellana, and Ojalada breeds or crosses between them, fed exclusively on their mothers' milk until slaughter. Carcass weight must fall between 4,5 kg and 7 kg.

About this designation

Registered as a PGI under file number PGI-ES-0069, with EU protection dating from 11 November 1998, Lechazo de Castilla y León covers fresh sheep carcasses produced entirely within the Autonomous Community of Castile and León. The specification restricts eligible animals to the Churra, Castellana, and Ojalada breeds, or crosses between those three breeds. Animals must be born, reared, slaughtered, and processed within the defined geographical area, which comprises the entire Autonomous Community of Castile and León. From birth until slaughter, the young are fed exclusively on their mothers' milk; no other feed is permitted for the animals themselves. Carcass weight must be between 4,5 kg and 7 kg; where a carcass is presented with the head and the pluck, the permitted weight is increased by 1 kg. Carcasses must meet category A, first quality, under the European standard for classification of ovine carcasses. The flesh colour is described in the specification as pearly-white or pale pink, and external fat must be waxy white in colour. All carcasses and packages released for consumption must bear a seal of guarantee carrying, at minimum, the designation's logo, the slaughter date, and an identification number, affixed so that it cannot be re-used. The control body is the Consejo Regulador de la Indicación Geográfica Protegida Lechazo de Castilla y León, based in Zamora.

Source: The register document this entry was written from · retrieved August 26, 2026

Distinctive facts

• Registered as a PGI on 11 November 1998 under file number PGI-ES-0069; eAmbrosia identifier EUGI00000013285.
• Only the Churra, Castellana, and Ojalada breeds, or crosses between those breeds, are permitted; the specification names no others.
• Carcass weight must be between 4,5 kg and 7 kg; presentation with head and pluck raises the permitted weight by 1 kg.
• Animals must be fed exclusively on their mothers' milk from birth until slaughter; no supplementary feed for the young is permitted.

Tasting notes

Castilian-Leonese suckling lamb IGP (lechazo = milk-fed lamb only, age 25-35 days, ~5-6kg carcass). Very pale tender flesh, delicate sweet milk-only flavor, fine texture — the iconic Castilian luxury lamb.

HoReCa use

**Lechazo asado al horno de leña** (the canonical Castilian wood-oven-roasted suckling lamb) — Segovia, Burgos, Valladolid restaurant signature; whole half lamb served family-style; pairs with Ribera del Duero and Toro reds.

Packaging

• whole-suckling-lamb-vacuum-4-6kg
• half-lamb-2-3kg
• primal-cuts-vacuum-various

Seasonality