About Cellers de Pierette y Carles...

This celler was set up in 1991 to bring together the small local co-operatives so to enable using new technology for producing wines and olive oils. This was because existing facilities were obsolete, the majority having been in use since the local co-operatives were set up, between 1917 and 1929.

At present, this celler includes the local co-operatives of Gratallops, El Lloar, La Vilella Alta and La Vilella Baixa. It has 125 wine-growing members who cultivate 310 vineyards covering a total area of 205 hectares and with an output of 450,000 kg of grapes. These figures illustrate two facts which should be borne in mind: on the one hand, the strong predominance of small holdings in the Priorat, and on the other, the low production per vine - around a kilo of grapes. These features are a consequence of the hilly terrain of the Priorat, with vineyards on slopes of up to 30%, of the llicorella (shale) soil and the advanced age of the vines (the average is around 60 years).

The village of Gratallops has the fermenting cellar, equipped with stainless steel vats with capacities of 1,000, 10,000 and 25,000 litres, all with temperature control and the possibility of cooling down the must during alcoholic fermentation or warming up the wine during malolactic fermentation. This cellar also has two isothermal containers for the tartaric stabilisation of the wine. Incoming grapes are received via two stemmers. Selected grapes come in via the smaller stemmer, which only allows grapes in boxes of 15 kg. The bottling and dispatch facilities are also in Gratallops.

Pierette

Grape varieties native to the Priorat...
"llicorella" (slate) soil...
Wine to introduce you to the D.O.Q. Priorat, to bring out fully the character of the grape variety and the shale soil.

Production: 30,000 750ml bottles
Wine type: red
Grape varieties: 50% Carinyena (Carignan), 50% red Garnatxa (Grenache)
Vineyards: This wine is not made from particular vineyards, but at every harvest the finest grapes are selected from our Carinyena and red Garnatxa vines. Thus, our over 300 vineyards can offer a fine reflection of the diversity and high quality of the grapes from our vines and from the Priorat itself.

Red Grenache and Carignan vines combining with the "llicorella" (slate) soils give us the typical character of Priorat.

Carles

Grape varieties native to the Priorat...
"llicorella" (slate) soil...
Grape varieties from other regions...
Aged in new French and American oak barrels.

Production: 10.000 750ml bottles
Wine type: oak-aged red
Grape varieties: 50% Carinyena (Carignan), 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% red Garnatxa (Grenache)
Vineyards: This wine is not made from vineyards which are selected every year on the basis of quality criteria. At every harvest the finest Carinyena, Cabernet and Garnatxa grapes from our own old vines are selected. Thus, our over 300 vineyards can offer a fine reflection of the diversity and high quality of the grapes from our vines and from the Priorat itself.

A blend of red Grenache, Carignan and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes from old vineyards. Aged for 12 months in barrels of new French and American oak.

Pierette white:

A blend of white Grenache (50%) and Macabeo (50%) vines combining with the "llicorella" (slate) soils. This wine will blend into your meal so enjoyable, neither overpowering the food nor disappointing the diners but fitting perfectly into the gastronomic experience. It is best served at 12º C, any colder and some of the flavour will be hidden.

Carles white:

A blend of white Grenache 40%, Macabeo (50%) and Pedro Ximénez (10%) grapes from old vineyards. Aged for 4 months in barrels of new French and American oak. It goes with fish, above all, but also with many dishes, including meat, and is a perfect accompanyship for the cheeseboard. It is best served at 12º C, any colder and some of the flavour will be hidden.