Gratallops Wine Travel Guide (Priorat, Spain)

Discover Gratallops: Priorat's Wine Gem

Gratallops, a small village in Catalonia's Priorat wine region, offers a captivating blend of rugged landscapes and world-class wines. This picturesque town, perched on a hilltop, serves as an ideal base for exploring the renowned Priorat DOQ (Denominación de Origen Calificada).

Towns and Villages

While Gratallops is the main focus, nearby villages offer additional charm:

• Torroja del Priorat: Known for its traditional architecture and panoramic views
• Porrera: Home to several boutique wineries and a historic center
• Scala Dei: Features the ruins of an ancient Carthusian monastery, crucial to the region's winemaking history

Wine Producers

Gratallops boasts some of Priorat's most respected wineries:

• Álvaro Palacios: Renowned for their L'Ermita wine, one of Spain's most prestigious
• Clos Mogador: A pioneer in Priorat's wine renaissance, offering exceptional blends
• Mas Martinet: Family-run winery known for innovative winemaking techniques
• Clos Figueras: Combines winemaking with a restaurant and guesthouse for a complete experience

Accommodations

Gratallops offers a mix of charming lodgings:

• Cal Llop: A boutique hotel in a restored 18th-century building with stunning views
• Clos Figueras: Winery guesthouse providing an immersive wine experience
• Casa Rural Elvira: A cozy, family-run guesthouse in the heart of the village

Dining

Local restaurants showcase Priorat's culinary traditions:

• Restaurant Clos Figueras: Offers farm-to-table cuisine paired with their wines
• La Vinícola: A casual spot for traditional Catalan dishes and local wines
• Irreductibles: Modern interpretations of regional cuisine with an extensive wine list

Wine Shops & Bars

Gratallops and the surrounding Priorat region offer excellent options for wine tasting and purchasing:

• Vinum Priorat: A well-stocked wine shop in Gratallops featuring local and international selections
• La Vinícola Wine Bar: Offers a wide range of Priorat wines by the glass
• Celler de l'Aspic: Wine bar and restaurant in nearby Falset with an extensive Priorat wine list

Other Shops

While Gratallops is small, you can find local products and essentials:

• La Botiga de Gratallops: A small grocery store offering local produce and basic supplies
• Cooperativa Agrícola: Purchase locally produced olive oil and nuts

Attractions

Beyond wine, Gratallops and Priorat offer cultural and natural attractions:

• Mirador de Gratallops: Panoramic viewpoint overlooking the Priorat vineyards
• Cartoixa d'Escaladei: 12th-century Carthusian monastery ruins near Scala Dei
• Serra de Montsant Natural Park: Hiking trails and stunning landscapes surrounding the wine region

Events

Priorat's calendar is filled with wine-related events:

• Fira del Vi de Falset: Annual wine fair in nearby Falset, typically held in May
• Festa de la Verema: Harvest festival in September, celebrating the grape harvest
• Tast amb Llops: A summer wine tasting event in Gratallops featuring local producers

Appellations

Priorat boasts two prestigious wine appellations:

• DOQ Priorat: One of only two DOQ (Denominación de Origen Calificada) regions in Spain, known for powerful red wines
• DO Montsant: Surrounds Priorat, offering high-quality wines at often more accessible prices

Both appellations focus on red wines made from Garnacha and Cariñena grapes, often blended with international varieties.

Grape Varieties

Priorat's unique terroir supports a diverse range of grape varieties. Garnacha and Cariñena dominate the vineyards, producing powerful, concentrated wines.

Other varieties include:

• Cabernet Sauvignon
• Syrah
• Merlot
• Cabernet Franc
• Pinot Noir
• White varieties: Garnacha Blanca, Macabeo, Pedro Ximénez

Main Wine Styles

Priorat is renowned for its intense, full-bodied red wines. These wines often display rich fruit flavors, high alcohol content, and firm tannins.

Common wine styles include:

• Single-varietal Garnacha or Cariñena
• Blends of traditional and international varieties
• Limited production of white and rosé wines

Food Specialties

Priorat's cuisine complements its robust wines perfectly. Local specialties include:

• Escalivada: Roasted vegetables with olive oil
• Calçots: Grilled spring onions served with romesco sauce
• Botifarra amb mongetes: Catalan sausage with white beans
• Arròs a la cassola: Traditional rice dish with meat and vegetables

Drives & Walks

Explore Priorat's stunning landscapes through scenic drives and walks. The Montsant Natural Park offers hiking trails with panoramic views of vineyards and mountains.

Recommended routes:

• Scala Dei to La Morera de Montsant: A picturesque drive through vineyards
• Siurana hiking trail: Offers breathtaking views of the Siurana reservoir
• Wine route from Falset to Gratallops: Passes by numerous wineries

Itineraries

Plan your Priorat adventure with these suggested itineraries:

3-Day Wine Lover's Tour

• Day 1: Explore Falset, visit Celler Mas Doix
• Day 2: Tour Scala Dei Priory, taste at Alvaro Palacios winery
• Day 3: Hike in Montsant, enjoy a wine pairing dinner in Gratallops

5-Day Priorat Immersion

• Days 1-2: Falset and surrounding wineries
• Day 3: Scala Dei and La Vilella Baixa
• Day 4: Siurana and Cornudella de Montsant
• Day 5: Porrera and Gratallops wine experiences

Getting There & Around

The nearest major airport is Barcelona-El Prat, about 150 km from Priorat. Reus Airport is closer but has limited flights.

• By car: Rent a vehicle in Barcelona for flexibility
• By train: Take RENFE to Falset, then use local transportation
• Local buses: Connect major towns but have limited schedules

Best Time to Visit

Spring (April-June) and fall (September-November) offer ideal weather for wine tours and outdoor activities.

• Harvest season (September-October): Vibrant atmosphere, winery events
• Summer: Hot but lively, with festivals and outdoor dining
• Winter: Quiet, perfect for cozy wine tastings and local experiences

Sustainability Efforts

Priorat is embracing sustainable winemaking practices. Many wineries focus on:

• Organic and biodynamic farming
• Water conservation techniques
• Solar energy use in production
• Preserving old vines and local grape varieties

Celler Mas Doix and Alvaro Palacios are leaders in sustainable viticulture.

Language Tips

Catalan is widely spoken in Priorat, alongside Spanish. Learning a few phrases can enhance your experience:

• "Salut" - Cheers
• "Gràcies" - Thank you
• "Un tast de vi, si us plau" - A wine tasting, please
• "Què em recomana?" - What do you recommend?

Further Resources

Enhance your Priorat wine journey with these resources:

• DOQ Priorat Official Website: Appellation information and winery listings
• Priorat Tourism: Comprehensive travel guide
• Book: "The New Vignerons" by Miquel Hudin - Profiles of Priorat winemakers
• App: Vivino - For scanning and rating Priorat wines on the go