Clos i Terrasses – Gratallops, Priorat

Elevated terroir, bold viticulture, and the Catalan renaissance. Founded in 1989 in Gratallops by Daphne Glorian, Clos i Terrasses stands as a defining estate in the revival of modern Priorat. Supported early on by René Barbier and Álvaro Palacios, she restored ancient schist terraces and made the visionary bet of reviving a nearly forgotten landscape. Today, the estate farms around 25 hectares, organically certified and cultivated according to biodynamic principles. A high-altitude vineyard that balances Priorat's radiant sunlight with natural freshness.

Terroir & Varieties

The vines, planted mainly between 1990 and 2000, are rooted in the region’s signature dark schist soils, known locally as llicorella:

Altitude: 375–450 m
Soils: dark schist & quartz, highly draining
Exposure: mostly north-west

Varietal breakdown:

Reds: Garnacha (≈ 70–75%), Syrah (≈ 20%), Cabernet Sauvignon (≈ 5%)
Whites: Mostly Garnacha Blanca, with Viognier, Pedro Ximénez, Moscatel

Viticulture & Winemaking

Minimal intervention and parcel expression guide the estate’s work:

Hand harvesting with precise sorting
Parcel-by-parcel and varietal-specific vinifications
Fermentations in stainless steel, concrete, amphorae, or large foudres
Long macerations for reds (up to 30–40 days)
14–21 months of aging in foudres, used barrels and large formats

Style & Cellaring Potential

Marked by mineral depth and poised structure :

Reds: fresh red & black fruits, graphite, spice, saline tension
Whites: floral notes, broad texture, vibrant salinity

Cellaring: 5–7 years for approachability; 20+ years for flagship cuvées.

Signature Wines

Clos Erasmus – Iconic cuvée. 80–85% Garnacha with Syrah. Depth, power, exceptional longevity.
Laurel – Second label. More approachable, mineral and generous, long aging (~20 months).
Laurel Blanco – Rare white cuvée, aged in large formats. Fresh, saline, expressive.