One of the big challenges with Catalan wine is the access and availability once you leave. Many of the producers are small to medium sized, which means that once you’ve headed back to the United States, Canada, Germany, Sweden, or whichever country you are from, you may find a few choices from the various regions of Catalunya (e.g. Priorat, Emporda, Penedes), but wide swaths of selections? Reality is, not so much.
This is why I’m happy to hear that Cellers Scala Dei joined the digital revolution this week by beginning to offer purchase of their wines directly from their website. And the cool part is that they’re offering ALL the wines that they have available, not just their entry level, or their top level. All. So if you’re hankering for another bottle of 2014 Masdeu, you’re covered, and you don’t have to spend hours to find the local obscure wine wholesaler.
Newly minted head of enotourism, Paul Kendall, has been spearheading the new effort of accessibility.
“We are so pleased to be offering this to our fans and followers worldwide. It’s been a question we’ve had coming to us after visits, and a natural progression of our marketing evolution,” says Kendall.
Scala Dei has secured international shipping logistics, and are able to ship worldwide.
“We’re in the process of adding all the countries where we can ship our products, but we will be able to ship worldwide,” states Kendall. He adds that if for any reason, your country doesn’t come up at checkout, that the winery can be email directly at info@cellersscaladei.com.
Scala Dei is one of the few wineries in Catalunya that offers dedicated tour times 7 days a week. Every day there is tours at 12 pm and 5 pm (4 pm during winter), and on weekends and holidays tours run 10:30, 12, 1:30 and 5 pm (4 pm during winter). Plus, Scala Dei can also organise a tour for groups outside of those dedicated times.
With history dating back to 1187, a barrel room to the 15th century (17th by official documentation), a historic village, a ruined monastery, plus their vineyards surrounding said monastery right underneath the Montsant mountain range, this is one of my top five wineries to visit in the Barcelona region.
With top rated wines, including 96, 95, 94 and 92s most recently from Robert Parker for Masdeu, Sant Antoni, Heretge and Prior, Scala Dei is still one of the best kept secrets of Spain that you can take home anytime you want. Head to www.cellersdescaladei.com and add to your wine cellar today!
