The Festa de la Verema in Torroja del Priorat has become THE festival not to miss in Spanish Catalonia, and the 2014 edition promises to be especially memorable. It all began in 2002 with the birth of the “Trio Infernal”. Fascinated by the beauty of the Priorat region and its potential for producing superb wines, three highly acclaimed Rhone Valley winemakers who had been friends for many years – Laurent Combier (Domaine Combier, Crozes Hermitage), Peter Fischer (Château Revelette, Aix en Provence) and Jean-Michel Gerin (Domaine Gerin, Côte-Rotie) – got together to create an estate at Torroja del Priorat and named it “Trio Infernal”.
Laurent Combier: “I’m really happy to share this adventure, which is truly unique in Catalonia, with Peter and Jean-Michel. Not only are the wines that we produce on these rugged schist hills absolute gems, but it is also a great delight to celebrate the Festa de la Verema in a spirit of conviviality, enthusiasm and sharing where some amazing people come together. Viva the 2014 vintage!”
In 2004 this trio and their winemaker neighbours, Dominique Ebert from Germany and Eben Sadie from South Africa, owners of the “Terroir Al Limit” estate, decided to organise a small party in the village to celebrate the new vintage. In just a few years this little village fete has become a prestigious event and an unmissable date on the calendar, with famous wine personalities as well as amateur wine lovers flocking to take part from all around the world.
On Monday, the 10th edition of the Festa de la Verema will kick off, as is the custom every year, with a professional wine-tasting session led by five distinguished guests: Tondonia (Rioja, Spain), Matthieu Barret (Cornas, France), Roagna (Piedmont, Italy) Dönnhoff (Nahe, Germany) and Moric (Burgenland, Austria). This will be followed by a traditional harvest dinner served in the village square and live music from famous Spanish musicians until late into the evening.
(Write to VitaBella info@vitabella.fr)
