Iberian Traveler - On The Road - Catalunya

Adventures in the Priorat - Part 2

nospam@example.com (Philip Ross) — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 07:34:12 -0800

Ruins of the country's first Carthusian priory, Scala Dei, founded in the 13th century.

A visit to the Priorat should not be limited only to wine and olive lovers. History buffs will want to visit the remarkable ruins of the country’s first Carthusian priory, Scala Dei, founded in the 13th century. or the fascinating lead mining museum at Bellmunt. There is also the newly restored Romanesque castle sitting high atop the city of Falset, or the strikingly perched, beautifully preserved stone hamlet of Siurana, one of Catalonia’s most picture-perfect medieval villages and its Moorish stronghold.

For Nature enthusiasts, hiking trails abound in the Parc Natural de la Serra de Montsant.

For accommodations one can now choose from a comfortable full service, family-run 4-star hotel with a vast top floor suite in the region’s capital of Falset, to a small, boldly contemporary boutique inn, a member of Rusticae, in the winery-rich village of Gratallops. There is also the a 5-star luxury Art Nouveau Monument-Spa hotel less than a 20-minute drive away in the village of Capçanes. A cooking school retreat in El Masroig offers programs ranging from a mere 3 days to a week in length.

Adventures in the Priorat

nospam@example.com (Philip Ross) — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 23:57:40 -0700

It was very warm the last week of June in Catalunya, but a perfect time to explore this rugged wine region located west of Tarragona, about a one and a half hour drive south of Barcelona.

Although not as well known within Spain as the Rioja and Ribera del Duero wine regions, the Priorat was first introduced to the United States several years ago and continues to offer some of the best and most expensive wines available on the market today, including those from Cellers Capafons-Ossó, Vall Llach, Cims de Porrera, Clos Dominic, Masia Duch (El Tancat), Clos Berenguer, Mas Sinén and even the small, and difficult to find, Celler del Pont. The productions are small, but the rich reds and succulent whites are well worth the price.

We were fortunate to be able to meet some of the Priorat’s most acclaimed pioneer winemakers, including Carlos Pastrana, owner of Clos de l’Obac, known for being passionate about his wines, and given a private Jeep tour of some of the most remote and steeply terraced vineyards in the region by the winemakers themselves, including a four-hour long visit with Francese Capafons of Capafons-Ossó, the maker of the esteemed Mas de Masos, rated as one of the 10 best wines in the world.

Dining in the Priorat can be as rewarding an experience as the wine tasting itself, with excellent village restaurants serving both traditional Catalan cuisine (El Cairat & Fonda La Figuera) and more contemporary fare (Celler de Gratallops & Celler d’Aspec), all sporting extensive yet surprisingly reasonably priced wine lists, showcasing the best of the Montsant and Priorat D.O.s.

Two atmospheric, hidden medieval villages in Catalunya

nospam@example.com (Philip Ross) — Tue, 10 Apr 2007 20:27:31 -0700

During our post-Christmas excursion through Catalunya, we were fortunate to have the time to take a leisurely tour of several pueblos con encanto, charming villages dating from the Middle Ages, all beautifully well-preserved.

From our base at the newly redecorated Parador high atop the Sau reservoir outside of Vic, we recently took a memorable day trip to tiny Tavertet and slightly larger Rupit. Both are two of the most photographed, highly picturesque hilltop villages in the Barcelona province, reminiscent of the Luberon hill towns of Provence, but less manicured, far more rustic and happily, are minus the tourist hordes.

Tavertet is found well off the beaten tourist path, nestled at the end of a 13-kilometer, narrow, winding road through a forest and craggy limestone outcrops. But this a detour well worth the trouble-to discover a hidden village of remarkable beauty, tranquility and with breathtaking views. The village is so well preserved that everything looks brand new. Although the majority of the homes date from the 17th-18th centuries, the new dwellings, getaway homes for the wealthy of Barcelona, have been built following the traditional style of stone and slate so as to blend perfectly with the ancient houses. The immaculately kept town, with only 40 full time residents, consists of two main streets, a Romanesque church, a rebost (village store, bar and local hangout), one gastronomic restaurant, Faves Comptades, a few traditional inns to feed the weekend day-trippers, one cute B&B, and a few cottages to rent. Following the path from the church leading away from the town, you'll come to a magnificent but dizzying viewpoint at the edge of the rocky cliffs of Tavertet, with indescribable views across the valley to the Sau reservoir. This hamlet is very worthy of your discovery.

Equally pretty Rupit, with its 340 inhabitants, has been well discovered, and known as one of the most beautiful villages in all of Catalunya, but it remains remarkably unspoiled. After driving the meandering road from Vic through rugged grazing lands, you will reach the 1 km. detour to the town but must leave your car in the lot in the â€œnewâ€ town and walk to the medieval side. Entrance to the village is via a suspension footbridge across the brook that divides the town. With its ruggedly steep streets, ancient stone houses, some dating from the 16th century and all with hanging balconies bedecked with geraniums and dried flowers at each door, medieval Rupit is as picturesque as they come. This makes for a fine stop at lunch hour, as the friendly Hostal Estrella on the main square serves rich and hearty mountain cuisine at very low prices.

Contact us about preparing a custom package for you to explore this delightful area of Catalunya.

nospam@example.com (Philip Ross) — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 09:13:12 -0700

This Mayâ€™s issue of Bon AppÃ©tit magazine features an article written by cookbook author Melissa Clark about the Priorat wine region of Catalunya, â€œPriorat The Next Generationâ€.

While the Priorat is know for its heady, robust and very expensive wines, such as the pricey but prestigious Clos Mogador, there is a new generation emerging of second tier, exciting yet affordable wines from the regionâ€™s best winemakers.

The Priorat makes for an easy pre or post excursion from Barcelona, and several winemakers, such as Alvaro Palacios, Costers del Siruana and Mas Martinet eagerly open their wineries to visitors. Although the tourist infrastructure is still not nearly as highly developed as it is now in the Rioja (thanks to Frank Gehry), you will find a charming B&B or two, some great restaurants and one very luxurious manor house to use as a weekend base.

Weâ€™re great fans of the small, atmospheric and distinctive Rusticae properties, and there are now two to recommend in the Priorat: the B&B style Cal Llop (The Wolfâ€™s Den), which has gotten rave reviews for its hospitality and food. The nine rooms and suites come equipped with Wi-Fi, plasma TV and DVDs, and it has a stellar and charming restaurant in the converted stables. And great service from a caring staff.

Further a field, you can rest and relax in 5-star splendor in the Mas Passamaner, a reconverted 1920s mansion designed by famed Modernist architect DomÃ¨nech i Muntaner, complete with wellness spa and restaurant run by 2 star Michelin chef. The two Royal Suites have their own private pools. Itâ€™s also a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World. And better still, you can reach the Mas Passamaner from Madrid via the high speed AVE in 3 hrs. And itâ€™s only a 1Â½ hr. drive south from Barcelona.

Please contact us about arranging an exciting Barcelona city stay followed by a Priorat wine package for you.

Iberian Traveler - On The Road - Catalunya

Adventures in the Priorat - Part 2

Adventures in the Priorat

Two atmospheric, hidden medieval villages in Catalunya

Priorat The Next Generation - Bon AppÃ©tit magazine