The visit to the Scala Dei Winery is an extraordinary experience. Located in the small village of La Morera de Montsant, this boutique winery is one of the very best in Priorat. Handwritten records from the middle ages (now at Madrid’s Historical Archive) show us that Carthusian monks inhabited the area, after building a monastery during the 12th century, and started the project of viticulture back in 1163. Scala Dei is located right next to the old monastery and build their wines on this historic background.
Ricard Rofes is the winery's main oenologists and he will be happy to personally welcome you and giving you an overview over (and historic insight into) the production methods. Ricard is himself from Priorat and he arrived to Scala Dei in 2007. He has a scientific approach to wine production - well kwowing that he is workign with wines that are difficult to explaining scientifically - there is something mythical about wine.
In the 12th Century when the Carthusian monks came to this unique land they started to understand the earth, soil and microclimate. The monks learned that the local Garnacha variety was the most appropriate and for Priorat's wines. When making wines today, the winery uses knowledge stemming from the monks dating back to the middle ages.
After the winery visit, you will taste some excellent wines made of the local garnacha grapes, and feel the different flavors and aromas coming from the different types of slate soil as well as the freshness for grapes that grow in higher or lower altitudes. Rofes’ expertise and experience will advise you to pair Pla dels Àngels with rice and mushrooms, whereas white Garnacha Massipa and Sant Antoni could be enjoyed at the moment. Additionally, unique and timeless red wine Masdeu is worth waiting for to mature in enough until you could enjoy it on a special occasion.
