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Vinyes d'en Gabriel
In the hills of Darmós, not far from the Catalan coast, Josep Maria Anguera is the fourth generation to run the Vinyes d'en Gabriel winery. What began in grandpa's cellar in the family home has developed into a remarkable producer who cultivates his Carignan, Garnacha and Syrah vines, which are up to 90 years old, according to organic principles. The barren limestone and clay soils, coupled with the maritime influence and the pronounced day-night temperature fluctuations, produce mineral wines of remarkable expressiveness. The flagship is the Mans de Samsó from ancient Carignan vines, which perfectly captures the essence of this exceptional terroir. Manufacturer portrait
More about Vinyes d'en Gabriel
The story begins with his great-grandfather Joan Rofes, who planted the first vines in the 19th century.
There are places that tell a special story - of people who have remained true to the land, who have understood that great wines are not made, but born. Vinyes d'en Gabriel is one such place. Here, in the Catalan region of Montsant, between fragrant almond and olive groves, a family has been writing wine history for over 150 years.
The grandfather's legacy
Joan Rofes laid the foundations for today's winery when he planted the first vines in Darmós in the 19th century. His philosophy was as simple as it was profound: The soil knows best what it needs. This wisdom has stood the test of time over four generations. Chemical fertilisers or pesticides have never been used - a remarkable continuity in times when industrial viticulture has become the norm. The current owner, Josep Maria Anguera, has not only preserved this legacy, but developed it further.
A privileged terroir
The vineyards lie at an altitude of 125 to 200 metres above sea level. The proximity to the Mediterranean - less than twenty miles away - has a decisive influence on the microclimate. The maritime breeze moderates the summer heat, while the marked temperature differences between day and night give the grapes a remarkable aromatic complexity. The soils are a fascinating mix of limestone, clay and granular elements - poor enough to challenge the vines, rich enough to give them character.
The living heritage: the old vines
The real treasure of the winery are the old vines. The Samsó (as the Carignan grape is called here) is between 30 and 90 years old, the Garnacha vines reach an age of up to 80 years, while the Syrah vines, at 15 years old, represent youth. Particularly noteworthy is a single, hundred-year-old Tempranillo Vine next to one of the wells - a silent witness to the family history. These old vines, with their deep roots, are the key to the extraordinary minerality and complexity of the wines.
The wines: An expression of the terroir
The portfolio of Vinyes d'en Gabriel is straightforward but precisely composed. The "Mans de Samsó" is the quintessence of the winery - a single-varietal Carignan of impressive depth and complexity. The L'Heravi range includes various interpretations of the terroir: from the elegant Crianza made from Samsó and Garnacha to the expressive Selección, which combines Samsó with Syrah. What all the wines have in common is a pronounced minerality, a lively acidity structure and a remarkable balance between power and elegance.
The winemaking follows a minimalist approach. The organically produced grapes are hand-picked and gently processed. Ageing is carried out with care - not to mask the origin, but to emphasise it. The result is wines of remarkable authenticity that express the terroir of Darmós in all its facets.