Charterhouse of Escaladei
In the twelfth century the Carthusian monks of Provence They built their monastery at the foot of the Sierra del Montsant , founding the first charterhouse of the Iberian Peninsula . They chose a very special place, where they had insured loneliness and silence they were looking for, and where a shepherd had dreamed of some angels ascending to heaven by a ladder leaning on the trunk of a pine. An image that gave him his name, Escaladei, or Ladder of God , represented in the coat of arms of the Carthusian monastery.
During the seven centuries that the monks inhabited this place, they populated the fields, built mills and spread and extended the cultivation of the vineyard with the knowledge acquired in Provence. With the Disentailment of Mendizábal in 1835 , the monks were forced to flee, so their charterhouse was abandoned and, later, looted and burned , probably due to the weariness of the locals by vassalage and the high payment of tithes.
A luxury getaway to Priorat
The place has changed dramatically in the last 15 years, always maintaining its essence: silence and tranquility which, after all, are the main attractions of the region. The offer has multiplied exponentially, tourist resources have also increased and the number of visitors has increased, opening new establishments.
It is the case of hotel Terra Dominicata , a five-star accommodation that opened just two years ago to accommodate groups and most demanding travelers who come to Priorat . It is located next to the old monastery of Escaladei and in an old farmhouse that was previously inhabited by peasants who worked the land under the monastery's domain.
Luxury in Priorat
The hotel and its winery are surrounded by a 135-hectare estate within the Montsant Natural Park , allowing us to disconnect in a very special area surrounded by the colors of the cypresses and vineyards. The complex seeks a balance between the rural environment and luxury, with a well-kept outdoor pool and an ideal terrace to enjoy the views of the surroundings.
In the Terra Dominicata winery, two wines of Qualified Designation of Origin (DOQ Priorat): Domus Aquilae and Umbra, from the own grape production in the 15 hectares of vineyards that the property has and that its guests can visit first hand. In addition to these two references, the gastronomic restaurant that houses the hotel, Soul Mate r, offers a selection of almost three hundred wine references, as well as a menu that presents a variety of starters, meat and fish, always with an elaborate presentation of each of its dishes.
AUTUMN IN THE PRIORAT
The arrival of autumn, the grape harvest and the changing colors of the vineyards , make it a very special time to walk through the Priorat area. The environment has a network of trails that run through the vineyards and connect the villages to discover the world of wine from another perspective, to enter protected natural spaces, such as the Montsant Natural Park or the protected area of the Mountain range of Llaberia.
With only 27 inhabitants and a spectacular setting that surrounds it at 737 meters above sea level , Siurana is one of the most charming towns in the area. this place was left almost uninhabited until the 1960s due to its difficult access and has maintained all its authenticity over time. In addition, it hides many attractions, such as the remains of what was a Muslim fortress and the last redoubt before the conquest of Catalonia in 1153.
During the visit, beyond touring the corners of its beautiful stone houses, it is worth knowing the archaeological remains of the Arab castle, the church of Santa María and contemplate the panoramic views from La Trona in Siurana with the spectacular Sierra de Montsant as the protagonist. To learn about the history and its legends, guided tours of the Siurana historical complex are offered.
Siurana, the last Saracen stronghold in Catalonia
In the village is the nice Hotel La Siuranella who shares a building with Els Tallers restaurant , an establishment where a meal is prepared with great care and has a small garden on your terrace.
The restaurant's cuisine is current and creative, presented in a letter or several menus to choose from. worth a try the entry of three textures of foie . Piquillo pepper stuffed with cod brandade and black olive ice cream. As well as the famous tomahawk with its potatoes and candied tomatoes. For dessert, the melon impregnated in Martini with lemon ice cream and basil. All accompanied by a good wine pairing.
Restaurant Els Tallers
The town of Poboleda It is another of the places to explore in the Priorat area, where the monks of Escaladei settled while they finished building their charterhouse. Nestled in the valley of the Siurana River , Poboleda is known for its unique streets and the stately houses of the old town. Once here it is a must to visit the Parish Church of San Pedro, known as the Priorat Cathedral.
The Brots restaurant is one of the best valued in town, a bistro-format place with a Tasting menu of signature food and very original presentation . The appetizer is served on a replica of the hand of its Belgian owner and the presentation of its homemade bread simulates the shape of an ice cream cone.
The Brots menu begins with a Algae flatbread with sea bass tartare and celery as a starter . As a first course, a delicious octopus carpaccio with hummus, sesame and soy ice cream is served. Next, a low-temperature lamb with risotto and tomato. For dessert, a elaborate coconut panacotta with mango or passion fruit sorbet.
In the Priorat area there are also some small properties with a strong dedication, such as the Perinet winery, located in a beautiful estate in the DOQ Priorat area.
Brots in Poboleda
The Priorat vineyards are very unique because, being a mountainous area, grow on sloping terraces near olive trees . The fertility of its slate soil limits the vigor of the vines, but at the same time, determines the expression and quality that characterize its wines.
Although Priorat is known as a wine region , it is striking that the vineyards are not very widespread in the territory. The reason is that the land is protected and the planting of vines is not allowed to allow other trees and plants to grow, something that limits their large-scale production.
In the vineyards of the Perinet winery Local varieties such as Cariñena and Garnacha predominate, accompanied by international varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Merlot. The property offers great views to explore its vineyards with a buggy, with interpretive stops to learn about the harvests and tasting.
Perinet also offers gourmet breakfasts between vineyards to taste the local products, always accompanied by a good drink. Another very special activity is to spend the night in their glamping, where we will discover the most exclusive wines around a bonfire under the spectacular starry sky of Priorat.
Perinet Winery