Gratallops, Priorat, Catalonia
Alvaro Palacios grew up in a winemaking family in Rioja. To further his knowledge, he studied enology in Bordeaux, worked in France and eventually came back to Spain. He fell in love with the Carthusian Monks’ meticulously terraced land with vines that push deep down in the slate/licorella soil dating back to the 12th century. The climate is hot and dry cooled by breezes from the Mediterranean Sea. The most significant red grapes are Garnacha, Cariñena, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and the wine grapes Garnacha Blanca and Pedro Ximenez. Alvaro along with 4 other winemaking enthusiasts, bought land in Gratallops and other towns that dot the Priorat area growning the above-mentioned varietals. In 1989, they brought attention and later world recognition to the region. So well received by the wine critic community, Priorat received a special distinction DOCa, beside the only other region in Spain being Rioja.
The Palacios wines range from the exclusive high-end bottles to the more affordable, maintaining elegance while being approachable.