Terra Alta

Tucked away in a quiet corner of far southwestern Catalonia, the Terra Alta is known for its Garnacha, Samso (Carignane), Ull de Lebre (Tempranillo), and Macabeo vineyards. Cab Sauvignon and Merlot are also grown.

Vines were introduced by the Romans, as the region lay along the highway from Zaragosa (Roman Caesaraugusta, today’s Saragossa) to Tortosa. The region participated in the tortured history of Catalonia generally, and by the late 20th Century was a quiet agricultural backwater.

Today the capital city of Zaragosa is best known for its famed cathedral, Nustra Senora del Pilar, on the banks of the Ebro river.

The Vermouths

Produced from 100% wild-grown Macabeo grapes, organic and vegan. Macerated with a proprietary blend of herbs and spices, then ged in a 60-year old solera to develop character and complexity. Both white and red are Macabeo, with different herbal infusions. The Blanco shows notes of rosemary, thyme and citrus, white the Negro has deeper flavors of clove and anis. Both are beautifully complex and perfect aperitifs with a slice of orange- Catalan style!

Casa Mariol

The Mariol family has been in the wine business for over 100 years operating out of La Batea, a medieval town in the heart of the Terra Alta.

The paterfamilias opened the first winery in 1945 and the latest generation led by Miquel Angel Vaquer and his siblings has launched a small revolution in packaging and attitude... just good juice at a good price.

Mariol have won European design awards for their simple packaging and represented Spain at the World expo in Shanghai in 2010.

The family work their lands organically- several certified, the rest on their way- and dry-farm their vineyards.

The wines

Samso: Carignane 100%, from iron-rich calcareous soils at around 3750 ft elevation (true Terra Alta). Hand harvested, vinified in stainless, then 16 months in American oak followed by bottle ageing before release.