Mas d'en Gil is a family-owned estate in Bellmunt del Priorat whose roots go back to 1860. After a period known as Masia Barril (1931-1998), the property was bought in 1998 by the Rovira Carbonell family, fourth-generation winegrowers, who introduced organic farming and later certified biodynamic practices. The estate spans five valleys (Bellmunt, la Coma, Grinyó, el Sas and the Olive Tree valley), said to condense all the landscapes of Priorat, on soils of llicorella (slate), clay and limestone.
The main varieties are Grenache and Carignan for reds, and Macabeo and white Grenache for whites. These go into a range spanning the entry Vi de Vila wines Bellmunt Blanc and Bellmunt Negre up to more concentrated labels such as Coma Vella, Coma Calcari, Clos Fontà, Coma Blanca and Gran Buig, alongside a sweet red (Nus) and an aged fortified wine, Agredolç Solera 1958. Since 2008 the estate has been directed by Marta Rovira, who has introduced fermentation in large foudres, minimal barrel toast and gentler extraction.
The winery offers visits and tastings by prior appointment (by phone or email), though it has no restaurant or accommodation on site. Besides wine, it produces its own olive oil, almonds and hazelnuts, under certifications including CCPAE (organic) and PEFC (sustainable forestry).
Imatge: Josep Salvany i Blanch · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
Sources: masdengil.com · turismepriorat.org