Celler Joan Simó

Celler Joan Simó was founded in 1999 by Gerard Batllevell Simó, who began winemaking in the basement of the family home in Porrera, a small village in DOC Priorat. The family had deep roots in the region, with ancestors who had previously sold grapes to the Gratallops collective. That first vintage yielded just 1,100 bottles, a modest start that reflected an artisanal philosophy the estate has maintained ever since. Production has since grown steadily to approximately 20,000 to 25,000 bottles per year, while retaining a resolutely hands-on approach.

• Founded 1999 in Porrera by Gerard Batllevell Simó
• Family heritage linked to grape growing in the Gratallops collective
• First vintage: 1,100 bottles; current production: approximately 25,000 bottles
• Maintains artisanal, family-owned structure throughout its growth

The estate's 15 hectares are spread across five family-owned properties situated between Porrera and Bellmunt in DOC Priorat. Vineyards reach elevations of up to 700 meters and encompass a range of microclimates, from high-altitude cool sites to lower-altitude warmer parcels. The soils are primarily the iconic Priorat llicorella, a fractured dark slate that forces vine roots deep in search of water and nutrients, alongside volcanic soils. Hot summers combined with the steep hillside topography give the wines their characteristic concentration and structure.

• 15 hectares across five properties between Porrera and Bellmunt
• Elevations reach 700 meters, creating diverse microclimates
• Soils: llicorella (slate) and volcanic, classic to DOC Priorat
• Steep hillside terrain with hot summers shapes wine concentration

Celler Joan Simó works with a mix of indigenous and international varieties, with Grenache (Garnacha) and Carignan (Cariñena) forming the backbone of the portfolio, as befits a traditional Priorat producer. Syrah, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon are also grown across the estate. A notable feature of the vineyards is the age of the plantings; some vines are between 80 and 93 years old, producing low yields of intensely flavored fruit. All grapes are handpicked.

• Primary varieties: Grenache and Carignan, the backbone of Priorat
• International varieties include Syrah, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon
• Some vines are 80 to 93 years old, delivering low yields and concentrated fruit
• All grapes harvested by hand

The winery produces red wines as its primary focus, alongside white, rosé, sparkling, sweet, and fortified wines. The key labels are Les Eres, Les Sentius, Les Eres Especial, and Viatge al Priorat. Winemaking is handled by Josep Angel Mestres and Toni Pena. The estate is not certified organic. The range in output, from entry-level expressions to the Especial bottling, reflects the diversity of the five vineyard sites and the different microclimate conditions each one offers.

• Core labels: Les Eres, Les Sentius, Les Eres Especial, Viatge al Priorat
• Red wines are the primary focus; white, rosé, sparkling, sweet, and fortified also produced
• Winemakers: Josep Angel Mestres and Toni Pena
• Not an organic-certified producer