There is something extraordinary about ancestral grape varieties, almost enchanting. They forge a connection with the past, with the way our forebears tended the land, when nature dictated the pace and vineyards were nurtured with patience and respect. At a time when the planet's future hangs in the balance, more and more people are valuing this return to origins, embracing a more sustainable and authentic way of working.
The Torres family, a global benchmark, has been committed for years to revitalising the viticultural heritage of Catalonia. As a result of this dedication, Clos Ancestral was born, a wine that pays homage to the region's winemaking history by reviving moneu, an almost extinct ancestral variety that has endured through time thanks to Torres' dedication to preserving the identity of Penedès.
Crafted from moneu, tempranillo, and garnacha, Clos Ancestral originates from vines rooted in clay and limestone soils, cultivated in accordance with ecological principles and harvested by hand at the optimal moment of ripeness. As part of the D.O Penedès, in the winery, it undergoes a five-day maceration and a controlled ten-day fermentation in stainless steel tanks at 25°C. To achieve balance and complexity, the wine is aged for 10 months: half in second-use barrels and the other half in stainless steel tanks, thus preserving its freshness and varietal character. Additionally, the moneu variety undergoes part of its ageing in clay jars and amphorae.
The result is Clos Ancestral, an elegant wine with a distinctive personality that embodies the soul of Penedès: the freshness of moneu, the structure of tempranillo, and the silkiness of garnacha, all in perfect harmony. It is the legacy of a land that has adapted without losing its essence, reminding us that true progress lies not in forgetting our roots, but in honouring them and giving them new significance.