Terroir Al Limit

In the village of Torroja del Priorat in Catalonia, Terroir Al Límit has, for over two decades, been transforming one of Spain’s most powerful wine-growing regions into something more akin in spirit to Burgundy: wines that take into account the specific characteristics of individual plots, with a light touch, and created more for the table than for a display of awards.

History

The project began in 2001, when German Dominic Huber and South African winemaker Eben Sadie met at Mas Martinet in Priorat. Together, with the help of the Pérez family from Cims de Porrera, they sourced grapes and produced the first vintage of Dits del Terra. In 2003, they bought a small winery in Torroja del Priorat. Gradually, new single-vineyard wines were added: Arbossar in 2003, Les Tosses and Les Manyes in 2006, Pedra de Guix in 2008 and Terra de Cuques in 2011. Eben Sadi left in 2012 to focus on his projects in the Swartland. Dominic continued the work on his own, initially running the winery single-handedly, gradually establishing the necessary corporate structures. He was later joined by head winemaker Tatjana Pecerić, who has since launched her own biodynamic brand, Coreografia.

Vineyards and terroir

The vineyards stretch across the steep slopes and terraced hills of the Priorat. The estate’s own vines are between 50 and 110 years old and are planted on licorella, a soil typical of the region, consisting of black shale and quartz shale, which yields low yields and fruit with an intense mineral flavour. All agricultural work is carried out using biodynamic methods.

Grape varieties

Garnacha and Carignan dominate the red wines. The whites feature Macabeo, Pedro Ximénez, Grenache Blanc, and occasionally Muscat and Xarel·lo.

Winemaking

The approach is based on infusion rather than extraction: whole-bunch fermentation, no punching down or pumping over, and ageing in concrete tanks, amphorae or large neutral vessels rather than in barriques. The aim, according to Dominic himself, is to create wines that are light, transparent and smooth.

Wines

The range is structured according to the Burgundian hierarchy. Terra de Cuques is the ‘village’ level. Dits del Terra and Arbossar are the ‘premier cru’ equivalents. Les Tosses and Les Manyes are ‘grand cru’.

The 2016 Les Manyes received 100 points from Wine Advocate. Two additional ranges, Terroir Històric and Terroir Sense Fronteres, feature blends from vineyards in different plots and the neighbouring DO Montsant region.