Llunari is a skin-contact Garnatxa Blanca made at Her®ncia Altés. While this style of wine may seem novel in Spain for most wine drinkers, there has been an ancient history of vins brisats (skin-contact white wines) in Terra Alta for generations. Llunari comes from the younger vines in La Serra, sees a 20-day maceration, and is aged in amphorae.

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: 12.5