Celler Tanca els Ulls
– Catalunya, Spain
Celler Tanca els Ulls is nestled in the town of Nulles, within the Tarragona wine region, which sits just about 100 kilometers from the city of Barcelona along the Mediterranean Sea.
Tarragona is witnessing the emergence of a new generation of vintners with a holistic approach to winemaking. While much of the region’s agriculture still is dedicated to supplying grapes to large Cava producers and local cooperatives, Penedes and Tarragona are turning into a hotbed for emerging natural winemakers. Established in 2014 by Francesc Boronat, Tanca els Ulls is a family-operated winery that tends to organically cultivated old vines in the quaint village of Nulles.
Their vineyards are close to the Mediterranean forest and stand at an altitude of 200 meters above sea level, an elevation that gives them the distinction of being highland vineyards, despite their close proximity to the sea.
Cesc, as Francesc is affectionately known, works with indigenous varieties such as Cartoixà, Vermell/Gris, and Cartoixà de Marina to create pithy and salty white wines representing the emerging signature of coastal Catalonia. The persistent sea wind in the area helps to preserve freshness and acidity, while the chalky soils deepen the mineral imprint.
‘Tanca els Ulls’ means ‘close the eyes’ in Catalan, a reference to the bravery and hopefulness required to take a leap into the unknown, to pursue one’s dreams. Cesc hopes to reveal the beauty and uniqueness of Tarragona through his wines.
Cultivation: 6 ha
Production: 10,000 bottles/year
Varieties: Macabeo
Approach: Organic
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