By blending old vine Garnatxa Blanca with a small portion of younger vine fruit, Rafa and Nuria can capture the rich concentration of the variety while retaining a lively and vigorous acidity. La Musaranya is the name for the shrews that returned to their vineyards once they switched to organic farming. They not only eat vineyard pests and aerate the soils, but they also indicate the return of biodiversity to their land.

Nuria Altés, like many young vintners in Spain, comes from a family who has grown grapes for generations. Tucked away in a remote corner of Catalunya, Nuria’s new project, Her®ncia Altés, is situated outside the village of Batea, in the DO of Terra Alta. Remarkably Terra Alta is one of the largest wine-growing regions in Cataluyna and one of which few are aware – something Nuria has set about changing. Growing up among the vines that her grandfather tended, Nuria has known these vineyards since childhood and decided in 2010 to purchase grapes from her father to make her wines. She is assisted by her partner Rafael de Haan, and together, they inaugurated a new cellar for the 2016 vintage located in her hometown of Batea. Since 2010, Rafa and Nuria have slowly grown their property from 14 to 60 hectares. They purchased their first vineyard, La Serra, in 2013, followed by Lo Grau and Xalamera in 2014 and 2015. Near the Garnacha’s birthplace in the neighboring province of Aragon, these sites are predominantly Garnatxa Blanca, Negra, and Gris, planted primarily between 1900 and 1960. Old vine Carinyena, locally called Sams, is also present in their vineyards and small amounts of Syrah.

Proof/ABV: 13