Here, the vineyards climb from the land to the sky: from the western plains at 200 metres up to over 1,000 metres in altitude in the foothills of the Pyrenees. And they generate a variety of styles and microclimates as vast as its inland territory. A surprising mosaic of seven subzones where the tradition of medieval viticulture merges with the most daring and environmentally friendly innovation. Are you ready to explore this surprising inland territory? Book your journey of discovery on the Lleida Wine Route. Monastic knowledge and the strength of dry stone The long tradition of viticulture in Lleida dates back to the Romans, but it was during the 12th century, thanks to the expansion of the Cistercian order and the founding of monasteries, that the vineyard became a key cultural driving force. The historical emblem of this era is the monastery of Vallbona de les Monges, one of the jewels of the Cistercian Route where Benedictine nuns have preserved peace and the cultivation of the land for centuries. Another essential heritage feature of the area is found in the dry stone constructions of Les Garrigues, historical huts and vats where the winegrowers of the time carried out fermentation in situ, at the foot of the vineyard, making use of stone vats excavated in the rock itself more than eight centuries ago. For lovers of civil heritage, a visit to the majestic Seu Vella of Lleida (the castle of medieval origin that dominates the entire Ponent plain) serves as an excellent starting point to understand the grandeur of this frontier territory, which stretches to the impressive castles of L’Urgell and the medieval stone villages of El Pallars.