Founded in 2001, the Montsant Designation of Origin extends across 16 municipalities, most of them located in the Priorat region and some in Ribera d’Ebre. It is a territory with a strong wine-growing tradition, where wine forms part of the landscape, the economy and the way of life. Discovering it is also a way to get to know an inland Catalonia full of nuances, calm and authenticity. A young designation with roots in Priorat The DO Montsant was created with the aim of bringing together the distinctive features of a group of wineries that had previously formed part of a subzone of the DO Tarragona. Despite its youth, it has become established as a designation with an identity of its own and today brings together more than fifty wineries. Its geography has a unique particularity. Broadly speaking, the vineyards in the central area of Priorat belong to the designation of origin of the same name, while much of the surrounding area is integrated into the DO Montsant. In municipalities such as Falset and el Molar, wineries from both designations coexist, reinforcing the wine-growing richness of the area. A landscape and climate that define its wines The DO Montsant covers more than 1,800 hectares of vineyards. The landscape combines relief, small villages and fields of vines that change colour with the seasons. This setting shapes an experience closely linked to the land. The climate is continental, with marked contrasts between day and night. This temperature difference influences grape ripening and helps define the character of the wines. In addition, the vines have moderate yields, a factor that helps produce wines especially appreciated for their intensity and quality. Wines and varieties of the DO Montsant The DO Montsant mainly produces aged red wines, wines that spend time in barrel before reaching the bottle. Among the most common varieties are ull de llebre, carinyena and white garnacha. As for white wines, the most usual varieties are white garnacha and macabeu. The designation also preserves a production of fortified wines, such as mistelles, rancid wine, sweet wine and vimblanc. This diversity broadens the appeal of the DO and allows visitors to discover different expressions of the territory in a single visit. Wineries to visit and discover the designation of origin One of the best ways to delve into it is to visit its producers. There are currently more than fifty wineries of the DO Montsant spread across 16 municipalities, opening their doors to visitors and offering a close look at the winemaking process. Among the most outstanding sites is the Celler Agrícola Falset-Marçà, in Falset, a modernista gem built in 1919 by Cèsar Martinell. The same architect also designed the building of the Cooperativa Agrícola de Cornudella de Montsant. In el Masroig, the municipal winery, founded in 1917, has an agri-shop with local products. Also noteworthy is Celler Laurona, which promoted a Montsant wine that became one of the most highly rated internationally. Paths among vineyards to get to know the territory It is ideal to discover the DO Montsant on foot, following part of the Priorat wine routes network. These are old rural paths that today cross vineyards and connect landscape, memory and culture. Among the most interesting routes are the paths leaving Falset towards Pradell de la Teixeta or la Torre de Fontaubella. The itinerary from Cornudella to Siurana is also highly attractive. These proposals are ideal for enjoying the territory at a different pace and better understanding the link between wine and landscape. The DO Montsant, an experience to enjoy slowly Visiting the DO Montsant means discovering a way of doing and living that is linked to the landscape, the land and the rhythm of the villages. Here, wine forms part of a broader experience that includes heritage, nature, gastronomy and a network of wineries that open the door to getting to know the territory from within. Its proximity to the DOQ Priorat makes the area even more appealing, but the DO Montsant retains a personality of its own. Exploring it is an invitation to let yourself be carried away by a setting of great beauty and to discover, glass by glass, a designation that combines authenticity, quality and Mediterranean spirit.