Celler Bàrbara Forés

Celler Bàrbara Forés

Catalonia, Spain

At a Glance

• Small producer based in the Terra Alta appellation (at 350m-600m elevation). Terra Alta was identified to be an exceptional region for viticulture by the same monks that founded Priorat

• Barbara Fores (the daughter of a wine merchant) began bottling wine with her son in the late 1800’s and the estate and vineyards remain in the family today

• Carme Ferrer (the current owner and great granddaughter of Barbara Fores) owns a total of 30 hectares of vines in 12 different vineyards (with less than 6000 cases produced annually)

• Farming is Organic and regenerative and is focused on increasing biodiversity in and around the vineyards

• El Quintal is a lean, mineral driven, and complex expression of 70 year old Garnacha Blanca that comes from sandy fossil-rich soil locally called 'panal

• El Templari is a lighter and more aethereal red made from a single clay/silt vineyard of indigenous grape variety Morenillo. Fermented in stainless steel aged in amphora

• Coma d’en Pou is an unusual and complex expression of Garnacha (Blend of Red, Hairy and Roja Garnacha) from a property with gravely limestone soils.

About Celler Bàrbara Forés

Celler Bàrbara Forés is a woman owned and operated winery located in the Terra Alta region of Catalonia, Spain. It was founded on the principles of agroecology and is known for its commitment to producing high-quality wines while respecting the environment. Uniting the efforts of three women, the winery's philosophy is rooted in sustainable viticulture and the unique terroir of the Terra Alta.

Since its establishment, Celler Bàrbara Forés has gained recognition for its dedication to enotourism, allowing visitors to experience the beauty of the vineyards and the art of winemaking. The winery's range of wines reflects the essence of the region and has garnered acclaim both locally and internationally. With a focus on tradition, innovation, and a deep connection to the land, Celler Bàrbara Forés continues to be a prominent name in the world of Spanish wines.

Additional Details:

Producer: Celler Bàrbara Forés
Varietals: Grenache White, Grenache Red, Syrah, Carignan, Morenillo
Labor Practices: In a small project like theirs, the human team is essential. Much of the tasks in the field are done manually and in an artisan way, as the farmers of this country have done all their lives. They have been with the assistant on this journey for a long time.
Organic Practice Certificates: CCPAE certification
Sustainable Practices: Bàrbara Forés recognizes that the agricultural world has experienced great development and acknowledges that this has also caused significant imbalances, including environmental issues, wealth accumulation, rural depopulation, and gender disparities. They believe that now, more than ever, there is a need to take a good look at their environment, their roots, and recover the evidence of the old agrarian culture. They are committed to an agriculture that promotes biodiversity, increases soil fertility, and emphasizes certain agricultural techniques for managing ecosystems. Despite having CCPAE certification in the cultivation they do on their farms, they go further. Since one of their main goals is to restore the Earth's fertility, their gaze goes beyond the present moment and projects into the future. For this reason, for some time now, their activity has been focused on everything that cannot be seen with the naked eye, but which through observation is palpable in the ecosystems. They fertilize their fields with local organic fertilizers of animal and plant origin. The treatments applied are based on sulphur, and copper to a much lesser extent. They follow the Lunar calendar, both in the field work and in the winery. They work in spontaneous vegetable layers and, when possible, they sow in order to obtain green manure. They reduce tillage, which allows them to protect the soil from erosion, reduce the carbon footprint, avoid soil compaction, and increase biodiversity, as well as optimize finite and valuable resources such as water and fuels, among others.