Carlos Manel Sanllehy cultivates 4,800 vines in Garòs (Vall d’Aran) at almost 1,200 metres above sea-level, a vineyard which, at this time of year, is in the midst of the winter shutdown. “Here, on this high-mountain terrain, the plants are dormant for almost four months”, the owner explained, who, since last spring manages this vineyard, one of the highest in Europe, with the collaboration of the Emendis bodega, under DO Pendedès.
The vineyard boasts a full hectare in total, and this is where, in a few months time, the first Gewürztraminer grapes will start to sprout, used to make white wine, and Cabernet Franc, used to make reds; two varieties which bud late, ripen early, and endure low temperatures well, in addition to generating plenty of floral and fruit aromas. The first harvest could take place next autumn, although it could be a couple of years before wine is produced.
The Emendis bodega joined the project owing, in great measure, to its work philosophy, which, according to their slogan, is based on making ‘estate wines and cavas’. “We have great faith in the land and this was one of the main reasons why we decided to plant in the Vall d’Aran and work towards making singular wines steeped with the region’s character”, the owner, Jordi Ventosa, explained.
The plot belonging to Sanllehy, (who also owns the Eth Restillè restaurant), is, in actually fact, an experiment which could generate some interesting surprises. However, this is not altogether an original idea, as it follows in the footsteps of an initiative started some years ago in Tremp (Pallars Jussà) by Bodegas Torres, the first to plant new vineyards in the Pyrenees. In this case, the plantations are located at 900 metres above sea-level, and, at the moment, are producing very good yields.
However, the highest vineyard in Europe is planted at 1,700 metres above sea-level in Girul (Meranges), where a group of associates planted 300 vines of 10 different varieties with the aim of making ice wine. Leading the project is wine consultant, Martí Panisello. The final aim of the project can be summarised in a nutshell: to find alternatives in the face of global warming.
