In the Priorat region, wine tourists can find more than just fine wines and wineries to visit.
There’s a wide variety of landscapes, inviting visitors to explore and discover the area on the DOQ Priorat Wine Route, the DO Montsant Wine Route and the Olive Oil Route. The region has plenty to offer everyone from demanding wine lovers to curious first-time visitors. The Priorat isn’t just a region of vineyards, wineries and wine, but one that surprises visitors with a whole set of charming villages, interesting buildings, landscapes, woods, viewpoints, paths, walks… It’s a land to delight wine lovers, but also walkers, cyclists, hikers and, in short, everybody who loves the countryside
With less than 5% of grapes harvest being white, Priorat is a land of red wine. Garnacha (grenache) and Cariñena are the main two local red grapes. New plots also experimented with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Pinot Noir and Chenin Blanc. Priorat wines are predominantly made from a blend of Garnacha and Cariñena grapes. However, some of the most famous Priorat wines, for example, L”Ermita from Alvaro Palacios, are made from 100% Garnacha. In the Priorat region there are 109 wineries, from family owned wineries until renowned wineries. The oldest winery in Priorat is Scala Dei, which has existed since 1194.
Prioratus
The name “Priorat” comes from the Latin word “prioratus”, which means “priory”. The area was originally known for its religious significance, as there were many monasteries and priories that dominated the landscape. The Carthusian monks brought from Provence in the 12th century the knowledge and techniques to develop a winegrowing culture that established itself firmly and has evolved over the centuries. The Carthusians’ lands made up the historic Priorat area which today forms the DOQ Priorat wine region
