The most prestigious wine region in Catalunya is the Priorat. The region is only one of two in Spain that has qualified as Denominacio d’Origen Qualificada, the highest qualification level for a wine region in Spain. It is the only region designated as “DOQ” in Catalunya.
DOQ Priorat produces full-bodied and powerful reds; Priorat began garnering international attention for their product during the 1990s, and the popularity internationally has not abated. Located in the valleys of the Siurana and Montsant rivers, the vineyards themselves are typically terraced between 100m and 700m above sea level encompassing an area of 19.783 hectares.
The ever present monks of Spain are credited with developing the wine culture of the Priorat, with the arrival of the Carthusian Monks in the 12th century. They occupied the region and started construction on the monastery, which began in 1194, and promptly began wine production. The prior of Scala Dei acted as a feudal lord over the seven villages in the region, hence the name “Priorat” for the region.The monks stayed at Scala Dei until 1835, when the state took over the vineyards and the area through expropriation.
King Alfons el Cast sent two knights to find a place for the Carthusian Order, which originated from Provence. A shepherd told the knights about a staircase appearing at the highest pine tree in the area, where angels ascended to heaven. This was prior to wine production in the area, of course. An altar dedicated to Santa Maria was built at the location of the tree and the stairway to heaven. Today, the ruins of the Scala Dei Carthusian Monastery are a popular tourist destination.
Priorat wines are known for their red Garnacha tinta from the older vineyards. The Garnacha has been the most steady of the varieties sold, while wines with Syrah have gained market share in the last few years at the expense of Carinena varietals. 96% of the planted vineyards are red varietals, with only 4% of the existing vineyards with white.
The types of grapes grown in DOQ Priorat are as follows:
Red Wine
- Garancha tinta, Carinena, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot
White Wine
- Garnacha blanca, Macabeo, Pedro Ximenez, Chenin.
Here is the list of registered vineyards in the area. The vineyards with websites are hotlinked in blue.
- Cellers de Scala Dei
- Agnes de Cervera
- Agricola de Poboleda
- Alvaro Palacios
- Arrels del Priorat
- Balaguer i Cabre
- Balmaprat
- Bodega Puig Priorat
- Bodegas Bordalas Garcia
- Bodegas Mas Alta
- Buil & Gine Wine
- Burgos Porta
- Cal Batllet-Celler Ripoll Sans
- Cartoixa de Montsalvat
- Casa Gran del Siurana
- Celler Aixala i Alcait
- Celler Ardevol i Associats
- Celler Bujorn
- Celler Cal Pla
- Celler Castellet
- Celler Cecilio
- Celler Cesca Vicent
- Celler de l’Encastell
- Celler del Pont
- Celler dels Pins Vers
- Celler Escoda Palleja
- Celler Familia Nin Ortiz
- Celler Familia Sedo Barcelo
- Celler Heid & Marques
- Celler Joan Simo
- Celler Jordi Domenech
- Celler Mas d’en Blei
- Celler Mas d’en Just
- Celler Mas de les Pereres
- Celler Mas Doix
- Celler Mas Garrian
- Celler Pahi
- Celler Pasanau
- Celler Prior Pons
- Celler Rosa Ma Bartolome Vernet
- Celler Sabate
- Celler Vall Llach
- Cellers Capafons-Osso
- Cellers Costers del Ros
- Cellers Fuentes-Gran Clos
- Cellers Sabate Franquet
- Cellers Tane-Santes Gates
- Cims de Porrera
- Clos 93
- Clos Aubaga
- Clos Berenguer
- Clos de l’Obac
- Clos Dominic
- Clos Figueras
- Clos i Terrasses
- Clos Mogador
- Combier-Fischer-Gerin
- De Muller
- Devinssi
- Domaines Magrez Espagne
- Domini de la Cartoixa
- En Numeros Vermells
- Estriacus
- Ferrer Bobet
- Genium Celler
- Gratavinum
- Hidalgo Albert
- Joan Ametller
- La Conreria d’Scala Dei
- Llicorella Vins
- Maius Viticulours
- Marco Abella
- Mas Igneus
- Mas la Mola
- Mas marinet Assessoraments
- Mas Martinet Viticultors
- Mas Perinet
- Masdeu i Campos
- Masia Duch
- Mayol Viticultors
- Merum Priorati
- Noguerals
- Parmi Priorat
- Pinord “Mas Blanc”
- Portal del Priorat
- Sabate i Mur Vinaters
- Sangenis i Vaque
- Sao del Coster
- Sola Classic
- Terra de Verema
- Terres de Vidalba
- Terroir al Limit
- Torres Priorat
- Trossos del Priorat
- Vinicola del Priorat
- Vins d’Alta Qualitat
- Vinyes Altair
- Viticultors del Priorat
- Viticultors Mas d’en Gil