Priorat, Wine region comarca in southern Tarragona, Spain
Priorat is a comarca in southern Tarragona with slate-rich soils and terraced vineyards nestled between mountain ranges. The landscape features steep hillsides covered with old vines that dominate the entire region's terrain.
The region was shaped by the Carthusian monastery of Scala Dei, founded in 1194, which introduced cultivation methods that established wine production. These early techniques laid the foundation for the area's development into a wine region.
Wine production shapes daily life across the villages, with wineries and estates serving as gathering places where locals discuss harvests and traditions. The steep terraced vineyards are the backdrop for community celebrations where people share meals and wine together.
The comarca is accessible via the N-420 highway, which connects through mountainous terrain and links various villages. Falset, the main town, offers access to train connections for journeys to Barcelona and Zaragoza.
The soil consists of llicorella slate, which combined with extreme temperature swings creates ideal conditions for concentrated red wines from old Grenache vines. This geological feature produces a microclimate found nowhere else in quite the same way.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.