Autòcton Celler (Catalonia)

After making wines in the Montsant and Priorat regions of Catalonia, winemaker Albert Jané returned to his ancestral home, the Mas Viella in the Baix Penedès in 2007 and created the Autòcton brand. The word autocton in Catalan means ’native’, and thus the focus of the wines are the historically important grape varietals that have been grown in the region for centuries. Varietals such as Sumoll, Xarel-lo, Xarel-lo Vermell and Malvasia de Stiges are native to the region and thrive in the harsh soils and dry climate of the Baix Penedès. The vines grow in clay and some calcareous soils at an altitude of between 300 and 500 metres. Yields are low, the fruit hand selected and the wines are treated with minimal intervention. From 2017, all Autòcton wines are certified organic. The wines exhibit great clarity and focus, despite the arid conditions and exposure to sunlight, they are not overly extracted or high alcohol. The whites are redolent of honeysuckle, straw and lemon, while the reds are medium bodied and show blackberry and dark fruit on the nose with a flavour profile that balances both earth and high toned subtle cranberry notes.

Ranger Wine represents all four wines from the Autòcton portfolio and will be introducing the Mas Viella wines to the market in the fall of 2021.