Oriol Artigas El Rall

This variety used to be known as the Pinot Noir of the Mediterranean. In the 20th century it was one of the most widespread varieties in Catalonia, more popular than any other clones both before and after phylloxera. But at the end of the century, only 250 hectares had survived as it had been replaced by other foreign varieties with higher yields and less complexity needed in the winemaking process. Nowadays, the Sumol is being recovered by the winemakers like Oriol Artigas.

Based in the D.O. Alella, north of Barcelona, this young winemaker produces wines that capture the soul of his land. In the Maresma, lying between the Mediterranean coast and the regions of Barcelonès and La Selva, Oriol Artigas works as a teacher as well as cultivating 12 hectares of old vines (aged between 15 and 28 years old), on granitic sandy soil. This is where he recovers and grows typical local varieties, some of which are almost extinct, like Merlot, Garnatxa Negra, Syrah, Mataró (Monastrel) and Sumol. Under a Mediterranean climate, with organic care and with the minimum possible intervention, the Oriol Artigas El Rall red wine is born.

The grapes are harvested by hand at an altitude of 160-350 metres above sea level. When they reach the winery, the bunches are destemmed and undergo a 4-day skin-contact maceration. From there it goes directly to the press, where the must is produced and fermented with native yeasts. The finishing touch of Oriol Artigas El Rall is the aging process, which happens in two parts: most of the wine (80%) spends 7 months in stainless steel tanks; the rest (20%) spends 6 months in used oak barrels. Following the final blending, Oriol Artigas El Rall is not clarified, stabilised or filtered.

The D.O. Alella at its most pure.