La Conreria de Scala Dei

La Conreria de Scala Dei has to be one of the most beautifully located wineries in the Iberian Peninsula. Nestled in the ancient village of Scala Dei, right under the beautiful Montsant (“holy mountain”) and just next to the 12th-century Cartoixa d’ Scala-Dei, a stunning monastery in ruins, today the symbol of the chic Priorat wine region. This top-end winery, run by three partners (one of whom is a priest), is particularly well-known for making exciting white wines with the native Garnacha Blanca grape (Grenache Blanc). Priorat is not the most famous Spanish wine regions for whites; one usually thinks of the blockbuster, high alcohol reds (which La Conreria d’ Scala Dei also makes) adored by American, French, and British wine critics. But wines such as “Nona” and “Les Brugueres” stand out in the sea of wines as unusual, interesting, and deliciously memorable. They are both creamy, oily even, and need food.

Visiting La Conreria de Scala Dei is a treat. Winemaker Jordi Vidal, one of the most modest and talented enologists in the area, will let you taste a sample of the “black wines” from the barrel and have a peek around the micro-boutique winery. The cellars lead out to a vineyard with views over the gorgeous mountains.