This mild, windswept (the famous tramontana wind) and largely coastal Catalan DO now comprises just under 2000 hectares of vineyards and 39 wineries, lying in north east Gerona/Girona. This area has over the last few years attracted much interest and investment.
Espelt viticultors is a family enterprise operative since 1910 and indeed its oldest vineyards, consisting of black and grey Garnacha together with Cariñena, planted on slate, gravel, and granite soils (Saulo) near Rosas and the now legendary El Bulli restaurant, date back to this time.
In the year 2000, however, the family – whose considerable wealth is the result of their agricultural machinery business – decided to build themselves a modern winery and up their land-holdings to a total of some 200 hectares, dotted around this beautiful area of many Natural Parks where all self-respecting moneyed Catalans have their summer houses.
Today, therefore, with oenologist/biologist daughter Ana Espelt at the helm, they vinify on average a million kilos of grapes, and with their 17 different varieties, make over 10 different styles.
Aided by a real grasp of design (the labels are created by the famous designer Mariscal who developed the mascot for the Barcelona Olympics) – this is after all, Salvador Dalí country – 50% of their sales are in export markets and word continues to spread.
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