Remembering Avia Maria: a wine legacy
In a picturesque corner of Cerdanya, a group of relatives has decided to pay tribute to their maternal grandmother, Maria Martí, by creating a winery that produces mountain wine. Maria, a young goat herder from Queralbs, built a full life in Planoles, where her family has deep roots.
A wine with personality: the grape variety
The wine, named after Maria Martí, combines the Riesling and Grenache white varieties, grown at an altitude of 1,200 meters. This unique combination gives it a distinctive character, with a pale yellow color and floral aromas reminiscent of white fruits and citrus.
A renewed family tradition
Cal Tià, the family farm, has been the meeting point for grandchildren and great-grandchildren over the years. Joan Miquel Jaume, one of the co-founders of the winery, emphasizes that this project does not only seek to produce wine, but also to honor the silent effort of people like his grandmother, who have worked to conserve the territory.
The challenge of the mountain vineyard
In 2018, the family started this ambitious project with the aim of creating a quality wine. They decided to plant 2,300 vines of Riesling and white Grenache, despite being a risky decision due to the climatic conditions of the area. Joan Miquel explains that Grenache, an indigenous variety, offers long-term viability to the project.
Adaptation to climate change
With climate change as a backdrop, the family recognizes the challenges that may arise. Planting vines in the mountains involves dealing with extreme weather conditions, but it also provides a more favorable environment for the vines to grow.
A promising harvest
The first harvest was handpicked on October 15 last year, with a remarkable production of 1,710 kilos of white Grenache and over 680 kilos of Riesling. Joan Miquel celebrates the quality of the grapes, which benefited from a hot summer, resulting in a wine with a great intensity of flavors.
The wine that accompanies special moments
With 1,480 bottles produced, Maria Martí wine is presented as a fresh and elegant option, ideal for pairing with white meats, cheeses or sushi. The family believes that every occasion is valid to enjoy this wine, which evolves favorably with time.
The future of the winery: growth and new varieties
The family is optimistic about the future of their project. Despite being aware that it is necessary to proceed with caution, they have several ideas to expand their production, including the possible introduction of new grape varieties.
A wine that will continue to evolve
With a focus on sustainability and quality, the Maria Martí winery is positioning itself as a new benchmark for mountain wine, with the hope of consolidating itself in the market and expanding its vineyards in the future.