Alfredo Arribas

The inStabiles series of wines are, according to Arribas, free wines: individual releases ordered in a series by number and each receives its own subtitle. The wine itself is an opportunity for Arribas to free himself to experiment only within the confines of vintage and the origin of the fruit that include Morera, Torroja, and higher vineyards in Lloar. He sees each inStabile release as an exercise in assemblage, selecting from an array of unique methods and vessels available in his cellar. The unifying principle is navigating the wine trail itself by selecting wines that, when combined, evoke subtlety and weightlessness through craftwork.

In the cellar, fermentations are spontaneous and preserve whole clusters employing either carbonic macerations or short traditional macerations so as not to over-extract tannins. Three milligrams of sulfur are added before bottling to stabilize the wines and ensure quality after transport. Almost no oak is used in fermentation or élevage, instead a small amount of the wine stays in small stainless while the majority of wine is fermented and aged in cement eggs or clay amphorae of varied sizes and shapes. - T Edwards

About the Winemaker

Alfredo Arribas

Alfredo Arribas, renowned architect, turned his focus to winemaking in the late 1990s when his work led him back to his birthplace, Barcelona. Entranced by the Priorat region, he acquired Clos del Portal estate and crafted cult-worthy wines under the label Portal Del Priorat. Seeking fruit to enhance his "Tros de Clos" wine, he ventured into cooler, northwestern Montsant.

Arribas discovered vineyards in Montsant that inspired him to expand his holdings and create two additional wine families under Vins Nus ("naked wines"). SiurAlta wines are high-altitude expressions defined by terroir, freshness, acidity, and lightness. Organically farmed old goblet-trained vines perch above 700m, predominantly in Cornudella del Montsant and Montsant Natural Park, some dating back over 40 years.

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The Region

Catalunya, Spain

Catalunya, a region steeped in history and culture, is also making waves in the world of natural wine. Situated in northeastern Spain, this diverse wine region encompasses a range of terroirs, from the rugged coastline of the Costa Brava to the mountainous terrain of Priorat and the rolling hills of Penedès. Natural winemakers in Catalunya are passionate about expressing the unique character of their land through sustainable and organic practices. They often work with native grape varieties such as Garnacha, Carinyena, and Xarel·lo, allowing them to thrive without chemical intervention. The resulting wines are vibrant and full of personality, with a focus on purity and freshness. Reds from regions like Priorat and Montsant are known for their bold flavors and mineral complexity, while whites from Penedès and Terra Alta exhibit crisp acidity and delicate fruit notes. In Catalunya, natural winemaking is more than just a trend; it's a reflection of the region's deep connection to its land and heritage, producing wines that are as dynamic and captivating as the landscapes that inspire them.