Terra Sanctus Clos La Rae Priorat

TERRA SANCTUS Terra Sanctus - sacred earth - refers to the rich religious history steeped in the culture of the area and the dramatic hillside vineyards from which we find the old vines of Garnatxa and Carinyena for Clos la Rae. The average vine age is 50 years with some up to 80 years on unterraced margins. Soil is the classic llicorella slates with very low water retention forcing the roots deep - as much as 30 meters - in search of water and nutrients. PRIORAT Viticulture has and ancient history in the Priorat and winemaking dates to the 12th century when monks founded the Carthusian Monastery of Scala Dei in 1194. The prior of Scala Dei ruled as a feudal lord over seven villages in the area which gave rise to the name Priorat. The basis for the soils (called llicorella in Catalan) are reddish and black slate with small particles of mica which reflects the sunlight and conserves heat. CLOS LA RAE 2014 VINEYARDS Old vines of Carinyena and Garnatxa on the high elevation