The Montsant DO Celebrates its 25th Anniversary

An Exceptional Wine Region

DO Montsant wines are renowned for a versatility and respect for the terroir that sets them apart from other regions, underpinning a strong international expansion that has been highly successful in markets such as the United States, Germany, the Netherlands, and Latin America.

Expressive, with ripe fruit, good structure and balanced freshness, DO Montsant wines are predominantly made from Garnacha and Cariñena grapes. In Garnacha and Cariñena reds, ripe red and black fruits (cherry, blackberry, plum) stand out, along with aromas of Mediterranean herbs (especially rosemary and thyme), with notable minerality and hints of spice. They are typically medium to full body, yet with a freshness that sets them apart from other wines.

When it comes to white wine in DO Montsant, Garnacha and Macabeo are the predominant grape varieties. These wines are celebrated for their exceptional quality, bringing a vibrant freshness, crisp minerality, and distinctive herbal aroma.

What makes DO Montsant so special is that it surrounds the DOQ Priorat geographically, with a similar micro-climate and some of the same llicorella (ex volcanic rock) terroir that gives Priorat wines their famous minerality. DO Montsant has mainly clay limestone soils, producing more fruit-forward wines that combine quality and value.

Talks, Tastings, and Celebrations

The 25 commemorative tastings will take various forms, with many aimed at industry professionals, and others tailored to the general public. The events will be organised in collaboration with various wine associations throughout Catalonia.

Key tastings include the Fira de Falset, held in the town that is renowned in the prestigious DOQ Priorat. The wine fair includes wines from both DO Montsant and DOQ Priorat as each have their own unique profiles. This festival took place over four days and featured influential figures from the Spanish wine industry reflected on the DO’s journey, including the Montsant DO President, Pilar Just.

Other local festivities explored the fusion of tradition and innovation that characterizes the DO, together with the journey from wine to glass, tracing the relationship between the people who care for the land and the exceptional quality of the wines that are exported around the world.

Showcasing the Diversity of the Montsant DO

During its 25th anniversary celebrations, the Montsant DO was represented by an array of local wineries from the region. These include: Acústic Celler, Bell Cros, Celler Anguera Domènech, Celler Cairats, Celler Cedó Anguera, Celler Cooperatiu el Molar, Celler de Capçanes, Celler de l’Era, La Placeta, Mas de les Vinyes, Celler Masroig, Vendrell Rived, Celler Pascona, Cellers Sant Rafel, Cellers Unió, Coca i Fitó, Cooperativa Falset-Marçà, Estones Vins, Josep Grau Viticultor, Orto Vins, Terravinyada, and Venus La Universal.

The DO Montsant will shift towards a global focus, taking its trade mission to Mexico and Costa Rica, accompanying 11 key local Montsant wineries to meetings with importers from both countries.

UNESCO World Heritage Potential

Priorat-Montsant-Siurana is the Priorat region’s nomination for inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List in the cultural landscapes category.

The nomination celebrates the region's ancient mountain viticulture and deep agricultural roots. Including the Priorat-Montsant-Siurana landscape on the UNESCO World Heritage List status would represent a major step forward for a region with a unique blend of tradition and innovation, where a time-honored, sustainable model is setting the benchmark for viticulture throughout Europe and beyond.