The Estate

Bodegas y Viñedos de Cal Grau currently covers over 40 hectares of land. The estate is situated on the northwest side of the municipal area of Molar, which is part of the Priorato DOC. It is on average 240m above sea level and although in general the climatic and geographical conditions are similar, there are certain differences between the highest and lowest areas which are accentuated by the orientation, relief and differences in height (from 200m to 290m).

Soil and Relief

The soil is poorest in the highest areas, in which the parent rock, which gives the Priorato region its geographical characteristics and provides the wines with their source of minerals, the Licorella, is present on the surface, thus making conditions more difficult and requiring the use of suitable cultivation methods. The soil in the lower areas, on the other hand,is generally deeper and more fertile due to the fact that the processes of erosion and sedimentation have gradually deposited weatherised materials from the higher areas. The rough, mountainous terrain with gentle to moderate slopes has led to the design of plantations which use small terraces with very gentle slopes.

Climatic Conditions

The harsh climatic conditions and the unique relief of the land make it difficult and expensive to produce wine. Temperatures vary considerably during the year, with average temperatures of around 17.5ºC. Despite the fact that summertime temperatures can easily reach 34-35ºC, in winter it is relatively common for temperatures to drop below 0ºC. The prevailing south-southwest winds are locally referred to as Garbí or Garbinada and from midday onwards they provide daily relief from the high summertime temperatures. The climatic conditions are classified as region V on the Winkler-Amerine Scale.

The Plantation

The design of the plantation foresaw the conservation of part of the natural environment of the original estate. This includes woodland areas, one located in the centre and three to the sides, which have undoubtedly helped us to maintain the microclimate which is so conducive to the development of quality vine-growing. The area where the vines are grown is spread among several valleys where hundred-year-old olive trees, which have also been preserved, mark the boundaries of the estate and provide a characteristic feature and a touch of colour. We have chosen to use grape varieties which, because of their quality, specific characteristics and ability to adapt, were considered to be the most suitable, although the use of other varieties in the future has not been ruled out. The grapes used are mainly Grenache, Carignan, and Mazuelo, combined with other more widespread varieties which have been introduced in the area more recently, such as Cabernet, Merlot and Syrah.