From the atlas
Celler Masroig
Celler Masroig works from El Masroig in the Priorat region, with Carignan at the foundation of its wines.
At A Glance
| Field | Detail |
| Region | Priorat region |
| Appellation | DO Montsant |
| Town | El Masroig |
| Main grapes | Carignan and red Grenache |
| Featured bottle | Les Sorts Vinyes Velles |
| Defining feature | Carignan treated as the foundation of the wines |
The Producer
Carignan sits at the centre of Celler Masroig's work. The producer treats it as the foundation of its wines, alongside red Grenache, another native grape of the territory. Celler Masroig combines its original character with contemporary knowledge and innovation.
It encompasses approximately 500 hectares of vineyards, all under DO Montsant. The grape varieties include Carignan, red Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and Tempranillo. The range therefore includes native grapes alongside international varieties, with Carignan retaining the leading role.
Place
The winery is located in El Masroig, a town in the Priorat region where most families live from agriculture. Vineyards and olive trees are the principal crops in the area.
DO Montsant is the appellation under which Celler Masroig's vineyards fall. Carignan and Grenache are native and prominent in the territory, giving the local wine landscape a clear connection to these two grapes.
Soil And Site
Red clay is the predominant soil in the area and influences grape quality. The local setting also brings dry summers, poor fertility, mountainous terrain and a Mediterranean climate.
In winegrowing, dry summers and poor fertility generally reduce vine vigour, while mountain terrain changes exposure and drainage. Red clay, dry conditions and low fertility therefore form the physical setting around Celler Masroig's vineyards.
Story
Celler Masroig's sustainability work is built from physical changes. The winery uses organic treatments against pests while respecting biodiversity, reuses winery water for vineyard irrigation and has installed solar panels to promote renewable energy.
Strategically located vineyards act as firebreaks to help protect the surrounding natural area. Celler Masroig is certified to ISO 14001 for environmental management, including resource consumption, waste and emissions. All its wines have vegan certification.
Vineyards And Cellar
The reported harvest is 2.5 million kilograms. Carignan and red Grenache are grown alongside Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and Tempranillo.
Les Sorts Vinyes Velles uses grapes selected from old Carignan and Grenache vineyards, harvested into 15 kilogram boxes. Malolactic fermentation takes place in barrel, converting sharper malic acid into softer lactic acid, followed by 17 months in new French oak and at least 12 months in bottle.
The 2024 Les Sorts Blanc is made entirely from white Grenache. It ferments with its lees in new 300 litre French oak barrels using bâtonnage, the stirring of spent yeast cells through the wine, then ages for 5 months in the same barrels. Lees ageing can add texture and breadth to white wine.
Wines
Les Sorts Vinyes Velles is the old vine red, made from Carignan and Grenache. Les Sorts Blanc is the white wine, with the 2024 bottling made entirely from white Grenache.
Les Sorts Selecció 2023 combines Carignan, Grenache and Syrah and ages for about 9 months in French oak barrels of varying ages. Serra Catalana is a sibling of Les Sorts, made in the same cellar from grapes grown in the same mountain area. The 2021 bottling combines 33% Carignan, 33% Grenache and 34% Merlot, followed by 6 months in previously used French oak barrels.
In The Glass
The red wines move through preserved red and black fruit, spice and oak. Les Sorts Vinyes Velles shows red and black fruit preserve with black pepper, clove, cocoa and Mediterranean undergrowth. The palate is warm on entry, with ripe tannins and a long, pleasant finish.
Les Sorts Selecció is spicy and marked by oak, with dark cherry, cedar, plum, cocoa, blackberry, pepper and vanilla. The white wine changes register, showing white flowers, honey and aromatic herbs with gentle toasted notes. Its palate is fresh, broad and complex.
Serra Catalana brings blackcurrant, dark cherry and other dark berries, with roasting, chocolate and coffee from oak ageing. Its finish is long.
A Bottle To Understand It
Choose Les Sorts Vinyes Velles 2022. It is made from 90% Carignan and 10% Grenache, with fruit selected from the producer's old vineyards. The grapes are harvested into 15 kilogram boxes, undergo malolactic fermentation in barrel, then receive new French oak and bottle ageing.
The bottle keeps the producer's native grapes at the centre while placing old vineyard sourcing and extended élevage on the same label.
Anecdote
In 1917, the founders established Celler Masroig in El Masroig, the town in the Priorat region where the winery remains located. El Masroig is an agricultural town whose principal crops are vineyards and olive trees. Celler Masroig combines its original character with contemporary knowledge and innovation. Carignan remains the foundation of its wines, while red Grenache is also native and prominent in the territory. The current wines retain that grape focus within the DO Montsant appellation.
Final Word
Celler Masroig works from El Masroig in DO Montsant and treats Carignan as the foundation of its wines. Les Sorts Vinyes Velles combines old vineyard fruit, Carignan and Grenache, barrel malolactic fermentation and French oak and bottle ageing.
Sources
- https://cellermasroig.com/en/winery/
- https://cellermasroig.com/en/territory/
- https://cellermasroig.com/en/we-are-sustainable/
- https://www.catalanwinesusa.com/wineries/celler-el-masroig
- https://www.domontsant.com/es/celler/celler-masroig/
- https://cellermasroig.com/vins_celler-masroig/les-sorts-vinyes-velles/
- https://cellermasroig.com/vins_celler-masroig/les-sorts-blanc/
- https://www.systembolaget.se/produkt/vin/les-sorts-7021701/
- https://terrificwines.se/wines/les-sorts-serra-catalana/