Alta Alella Wines

ALTA ALELLA is the culmination of one family’s journey throughout the wine world. Having travelled half-way around the world learning about and producing wine (in Alella, Penedès, Priorat, Ribera de Duero, France (Loire) and Italy (Piedmont)), we have found an estate with the ideal combination of soils and orientation right on our doorstep. After nurturing the estate for 12 years, we can now present the results of our work. The unique combination of man, soil, vineyard and vintage shines through in each of our wines.

SITUATION: The estate is located between the villages of Tiana and Alella, in the Maresme region, just 15 Km north of Barcelona and 20 Km away from Mataró, within the metropolitan area of Barcelona.

WINE REGION: The estate, declared ecological (organic) since its conception, lies within the Alella appellation, one of the smallest in Spain. The vineyards are planted around the cellar on slopes and terraces, on the characteristic soil of the area called “sauló”, combining all the elements required for perfect ripening.

ORIENTATION: At the estate, the orientation of each plot is designed to underline the primary characteristics of each grape variety. Thus, west-facing plots are used to obtain riper grapes with higher levels of sugar, suitable for sweet wines, whereas east facing ones are used for more aromatic and floral varieties, ideal for lighter wines and base wines for cava. The vineyards are between 100 and 200 metres above sea level.

KIND OF SOIL: All the vineyards are planted on “sauló” soil, the determining characteristic of Alella’s wines. It is an acidic, sandy soil with low limestone content, low organic matter and poor water retention. The particularities of this soil profoundly influence the characteristics of each variety.

VARIETIES: The estate is planted with the red varieties Pinot Noir, Syrah, Mataró and Cabernet Sauvignon, and the white grapes Pansa Blanca, Chardonnay, Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc and Muscat, as well as other experimental varieties. The use of several varieties allows us to produce a wide range of wines, depending on the weather characteristics of each vintage.

AREA: 6 Hectares under production.

GROWING METHODS: Green pruning and green harvesting (removal of excess grapes to achieve high quality levels – based on the relationship between grape quantity, leaf canopy area and available water). Treatments are kept to a minimum using only sulphur, Bordeaux mixture, and surface treatments which do not penetrate the skins of the grapes or leave any form of residue. No herbicides, pesticides or inorganic fertilisers are used.

HARVEST: Grapes are hand picked using small boxes. Transportation of the grapes is short given the proximity of the cellar.
Light pressing, fermentation and ageing depending upon each vintage and variety. The picking season can last as long as two months, so as to find the optimal ripeness for each variety and wine to be obtained.