Our Farmhouse
The farmhouse or Mas Hereu is one of the biggest farmhouses of the region – both from a construction point of view of the farmhouse as from the extension of the estate. One of the most outstanding aspects of Mas Hereu is the “four-water” roof, and one of just three building that remain in the area with such a curious architectonic structure.
The main building is based upon Roman remains, although most of the latest construction dates back to 1777, whilst some of the external standing walls date as far back as the 14th and 15th Centuries.
Surrounding the building we also can appreciate remains of stables and storage areas as prior to the industrialization of wine making in the area, the plantation was broken up into different crops, such as maize, wheat, olives, almonds, forrage for the cattle, ensuring that the estate was completely sustainable and environmental-friendly.
It is also highy interesting to mention that the Farmhouse and estate are located beside what is known as the Royal Highway, which starts in the interior lands of Castille and goes right up to the Mediterranean. This Royal Road was the only access the farmers had of transferring the cattle to warmer grounds during the winter months so that the animals could enjoy the more humid coastal area, where forrage was far more abundant than in the cold and barren Castille area.
Vineyards
We know that the production of wine in the current estate goes back long before 1777, year of the Mas Hereu’s most recent construction. To speak about our vineyards, we have to go back to the origins of the estate. Already in the year 1162, and following the orders of the king Alfonso I ” The Chaste one”, the Cartesian monks of San Bru’s Order, they established themselves in the region and initiated the growth of vines and processing of the grape. The monks dealt with the plantation of the vineyard and improving the methods of growing the vines as well as the vinification process of wines which became very popular and a highly appreciated barter tool.
The region started being known as Priorat immediately after a territorial zone constituted by seven villages were submitted to the feudal domain of the Abbey Prior of the Abbey, hence the name Priorat (Priory in catalan).
Today, the Priorat area has little similariesn with that of our forbears, because most vineyards were abandoned in order to grow more profitable (and easier) grops, suchas as hazel trees, almond trees and olive trees, specially on those plantations with pronounced slopes. The trees were far easier to maintain and look after than vineyards, which were, and still are, labour intense and highly susceptible to diseases, etc.
At present, the yield for hectare is relatively low, a factor very typical of the Priorat. The average production ranges between 950 and 1050 grams.
The climate to which our lands meet exposed is a Mediterranean climate, with dry winds and accompanied by temperature that reach a maximum of 6º in January and minimums of 23º during the summer months. With virtually no rain falling throughout the year (max. of 600mm), hot, cold and dry winters and summers creates a perfect environment for the growth of the traditional two varieties of vines that grow in the region:- Carignan and Grenache.
Our Wines
Our best land yields our best wines.
All of the Solà Classic wines are based on two grape varieties: the Grenache “peluda” and Carignan.
The Grenache “peluda” is a red grape variety and is characterized by a low-intensity colour gran and low alcoholic content. It gets its nickname “Peluda”, or “hairy” due to the typical hairinesses that cover the back of the leaf. This variety is mainly grown in Catalonia, specially Priorat, Terra Alta and Alella.
On the other hand, Carignan is extended throughout Aragon, La Mancha and Catalonia. It offers a medium-sized grape, highly compact and conical shape. The grapres are round and are black-blue in colour. This variety produces robust and balanced wines, with high colour intensity and rich in tannines, which make Carignan the ideal grape variety for wines that are to be aged in oak.
The blend of these two varieties – Grenache “peluda” and Carignan complement each other beautifully and are the master base of all our Solà Classic wines.
All our wines are made using grapes from the Mas Hereu Estate, guaranteeing the quality from the vine up to the decorking of the bottle. The harvesting is carried out when the oenologist decides the time is right as he is familiar with the vineyard, the potential of each plant, the solar exposition, water drainage, fertility of the land depending on the zone of the estate. Therefore, the harvest lasts as long as 45 days or more, as each zone is harvested manually and only when our professionals recommend that the grape be picked.