D.O. Terra alta
- Vineyard altitudes: 350-550 m
- Hectares of vineyards: 5.500
- Annual rainfall: 450 mm
- Average annual temperature: 14,8°
Winemaking practices and traditions have been present in the Terra Alta region for thousands of years. Archaeological research has discovered what is believed to be the oldest wine press in Catalonia in the remains of an Iberian settlement at the Coll de Moro hill, beside our winery. It has been dated to the third century BC.
Hundreds of years of agricultural activity and winemaking later, the Terra Alta appellation (DO TA) came into being in the last century as an essential tool to help organize local winemaking firms, control and guarantee the quality of their wine, and commercialize the result of the hard work and commitment of generations of families. The DO Terra Alta appellation was founded in 1985.
Location
Encompassing twelve towns, the DO Terra Alta appellation is the most southern winemaking region in Catalonia. Limited by the Els Ports mountain chain to the south and the Pàndols and Cavalls mountains to the south-east, the vine-growing areas are located towards the north and west of the region, adapting to the local landscape. Many hillside vineyards are planted on dry stone wall terraces to protect them from erosion.
Climate and soilsPlentiful sunlight and low rainfall explain the inland Mediterranean character of the Terra Alta wines.
Vines grow at altitudes ranging between 350 and 550 metres above sea level. The area enjoys a Mediterranean climate with a certain influence of continental climate conditions. Its southern location means it receives days and days of intense sunlight, ensuring a healthy growth cycle for the vines. The region records an average annual rainfall of 400-450 mm.
The balance between two local winds also plays a key role in the life of the vines. The gentle sea breeze known locally as Garbí and the dry north-western Cerç ensure that diseases caused by damp conditions such as mildew or bitter rot are rarely a problem. This helps the winery in its aim to carry out organic agricultural methods without chemical treatments and fulfil their goal of a sustainable and environmentally-friendly winemaking process.
In general, soils in the region are poor and chalky, well-drained, and with a medium-sized texture and varying depths.
There are 17 different types of soil in Terra Alta, including a fine whitish sandy soil, known locally as panal, which originated in desert-like land over 60 million years ago. As it reflects the intense sunlight, it is an ideal soil to help grapes ripen perfectly.
Most of the vines growing in Terra Alta are local varieties. The Garnatxa varieties are the most common. In fact, Garnatxa Blanca, Garnatxa Negra, and Hairy Garnatxa vines, together with smaller amounts of Macabeo, Parellada and Carignan, make up three quarters of all the grapes cultivated here.
Garnacha Negra
Garnacha Peluda
