Lagravera is owned by the local Arno family, but is actually run by Oenologist Pilar, viticulturist Miguel and general all round good guy Sergio. The vineyards are over three plots to the north of Lleida on the road to Sort, and ultimately over the Vielha pass to France. Here in Costers del Segre, there used to 120,000 hectares of vines, and now there are just 4000, of which 2000 are owned by one estate. Where Lagravera are, vines are almost extinct, and it is through their hard work and exploration that one or two old plots are being revived.

The first plot is a gravel based next to the main river in the valley and in which Grenache, Grenache Blanc, and one or two other varieties are planted and farmed biodynamically and is the source of fruit for Onra. The second plot is a vineyard of 24 unidentified varieties planted further up the valley on sandy loam and limestone, dating back at least to 1889. This one hectare pot provides fruit for the La Pell wines, which are an extraordinary labour of love, and more of which further on. The third plot is higher in altitude and combines old vines and massale selected cuttings from the original pllot as a sort of nursery vineyard.

Ferments and natural and in stainless steel, Stockinger foudre and Pauscha cuves for the Onra wines (and Ciclic, which we will ship later in the year). The La Pell wines are aged in amphora, or demijohns depending on the specific vine, even a magnum ofr one particular variety. The blends are exocitc and beguiling to say the least.

This is a young estate with history at its heart and the wines have a real sense of place. Onra white is Grenache based with just a tiny dash of Sauvignon Blanc, and is fresh, but quietly concentrated and long. The Altra is a fun bistro red, whilst Naturel is a co blend that Pilar made to harness the freshness of 16 and the ripeness of 18. It also shows the future of the Onra wines and Ciclic cuvees, being fresh, juicy and structured whilst being so full of life.