Jordi Llorens 'Parallada' 2019

Jordi Llorens is an eighth generation farmer who started making wine in 2008 and commercialised his first natural wines with the 2012 vintage, partly encouraged by his near neighbour in the Conca de Barbera region, Joan Ramon Escoda. Where the wines of Escoda bubble with energy, those of Jordi express a pure calm.

He’s based in Blancafort, a small, quiet, ancient village, off the beaten track, and surrounded by hills and forest in the beautiful Conca de Barbera region 15km from Montblanc.

Jordi’s family have been farmers of vines and other crops like almonds, olives and livestock since 1779. Jordi himself has been involved with a passion in sustainable farming initiatives for many years.

He farms around 16 hectares of vines in 6 different locations and produces around 12,000 bottles, mostly native Parellada and Macabeu, some Garnacha, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, in several different locations around the village at various elevations from 400 to 650m all on basically limestone soils. He practises bio-dynamics in the vineyard and cellar and the results of very visible when visiting his vines where the soils look rich and alive, the vines green and full. The elevations, and proximity to the Mediterranean, mean that hot days are balanced by fresh nights. Jordi lets grasses and flowers thrive in order to promote bio-diversity for soil health, balance in the vineyard, and complexity in the wines.

light yet intense, digestible, crisp, ripe acidity, very fine and pure and airy, aromas of lemon, apple, pear, hints of exotic fruits lend complexity, great umami.

Location: Espluga

Size ha: selected from 2.5

Age: vines planted in 1984 and 2000

Soils: ancient limestone terraces that keep nonetheless humidity

Exposition: various

Altitude: 425m

Training: cordon double royat

Farming: biodynamic, cover crops, grasses, herbs, and flowers adding to soil health, retention of moisture, and bio-diversity

Average yield hl/ha: 30

Climate: Mediterranean with fresh nights