Wine has been produced in the Priorat since Roman times. During the middle ages, right up to the mid 19th Century, the entire area was exploited and controlled by the monastery of Scala Dei.
Located in Catalonia, about 25 kilometers inland from the Mediterranean and the ancient city of Tarragona, just 2 hours South West of Barcelona, the region has a unique landscape of outstanding beauty.
The vineyard area consists of a series of rugged hills dominated by the emblematic Montsant mountain range. The soil is extremely poor, consisting of pure schist. This combined with the warm, dry Mediterranean climate give wines with a unique personality. The low yields, due to the difficult terrain, harsh climate and poor soil, give the Priorat wines a great depth of flavor, aromas of ripe red fruits and a strong minerality from the soil. The altitude varies from 400 to 700 metres above sea level, giving cool nights and ideal conditions for maturing the grapes. This in turn contributes to the wines having good acidity, a delightful freshness and the ability to age for more than 20 years.
All these conditions, combined with a recent history of much improved winemaking, has contributed to the Priorat being recognized for the production of world class wines and being awarded, along with La Rioja, the coveted DOQ appellation.