In 2002, the group of vineyards which made up the Falset region of DO Tarragona broke free to create their own Denominació d’Origen. Montsant rings the DOQ Priorat, and adopted the name from the Monsant mountains surrounding the appellation. DO Montsant has also experienced remarkable growth, going from 28 official cellars in 2002, and now number 57 wineries.
The vast majority of the wines produced is of the red variety, which according to the DO Montsant website, currently is 94%. Like the DOQ Priorat it surrounds, Monsant has a large percentage of its wines incorporating old vine Grenache and Carignan varieties. Ironically, Monsant is known for its youthful vinters who have grown into the winemaking tradition, and has also welcomed European transplants looking to create dynamic reds in the region.
The history of wines in the region dates back to Carthusian monks who were encouraged to populate the region after the Catalan monarchs managed to defeat the Moors. The Carthusian order was founded by Bruno of Cologne in Grenoble, France. The monks planted vineyards upon their arrival.
Currently, there are a mix of large cooperatives and smaller family-run wineries occupying the region. Capitalising on the reputation of their DOQ Priorat neighbours, DO Montsant has established their own reputation of quality wines, but at a significant savings. Some of the best reds and the best sweet wines are being made in Montsant, with Spain’s top wine critic giving two wines from the region in his “exceptional wine” category. DO Montsant has a strong export element, with the wines now distributed to over 30 countries worldwide.
DO Montsant is one of the few regions in Catalunya where Kosher wine is produced, with Celler de Capçanes being the most well known.
The authorised varieties are as follows:
White Wines
- Chardonnay, Grenache, Macabeo, Muscat blanc a petits grains, Parellada, Xarel lo
Red Wines
- Cabernet Sauvignon, Carignan, Grenache, Merlot, Mourvedre, Red Picapoll, Syrah, Tempranillo
The list of operating vineyards are as listed below. Vineyards with websites are hotlinked in blue.
- Acustic Celler
- Agricola Aubacs i Solans
- Agricola d’Ulldemolins Sant Jaume
- Agricola Falset-Marca
- Agricola I SEC.CRED de Cabaces
- Agricola i SEC.CRED. de la Serra d’almos
- Alfredo Arribas
- Alvaro Cateura Peron
- Amics del Gobe
- Baronia del Montsant
- Baronia d’Entenca
- Celler AiBar
- Celler Anguera Domenech
- Celler Cairats
- Celler Cedo Anguera
- Celler Clos Mesorah
- Celler Clos Pissarra
- Celler Cooperatiu Cornudella
- Celler Cooperatiu El Molar
- Celler Cubells i Cubells
- Celler D. Russel Smith
- Celler de Capcanes
- Celler de l’Era
- Celler Dosterras
- Celler el Masroig
- Celler Els Guiamets
- Celler Laurona
- Celler Los Trovadores
- Celler Malondro
- Celler Mas de les vinyes
- Celler Serra Major
- Celler Vermunver
- Celler Vertical wines
- Cellers Can Blau
- Cellers Capafons-Osso
- Cellers Joan d’Anguera
- Cellers Sant Rafel
- Cellers Unio
- Cingles Blaus
- Dit and CF/Coca i Fito
- Don Carles Vins
- Ediciones I-limitadas
- El Cucullar
- El Vi dels 20
- Fincaria Vins
- Finca GB
- Geotica Promocionant
- Graus de siurana
- Grifoll Declara Grup
- Josep Cabre i Beltran
- Marie Amelie Ponce Benavides
- Mas de la Cacadora
- Mas de l’abundancia Viticultors
- Mas d’en Canonge
- Mas Perinet
- Noguerals
- Orto Vins
- Portal del Montsant
- Ronadelles
- Serra i Barcelo
- Spectacle Vins
- Vendrell Rived
- Venus La Universal
- Vinas del Montsant
- Vins de Mas Sersal
- Vinyes d’en Garbriel
- Vineys Domenech SCP
- Ya le llamaremos