Saó del Coster is an exciting wine making project created in 2004 by a group of Swiss friends passionate about organic wines of Priorat. This winery is run with a commitment to the terroir and in addition to organic certification, it is in the adaptation process of integrating biodynamic principles.
It means that Saó del Coster harmonious viticulture expresses itself in an elegant and honest vision of the Priorat through its organic wines. The plots Planassos and La Pujada are both located in the municipality of Gratallops, DOQ Priorat.
They have 4 different organic Priorat wines made in the winery (they also have a separate entity in the north-west Spain – Rias Baixas, so they are not part of this list): S, Pim Pam Poom, Terram, and Planassos. The wines are made from native varieties such as Grenache and Carignan, some of which can be over 60 years old. This is a very exciting thing as it means that a few generations worked hard to get this product for you now.
When you decide to visit them, please contact them via their website form and book your visit in advance, it will cost you 10 euros to tour the vineyards and a cellar. Prior to your visit, it may be of interest that Saó del Coster is currently producing in two plots of land, Planassos and La Pujada, both located in Gratallops. First plot is responsible for a part of the “S”, and all of the Terram and Planassos. In La Pujada, a small plot of old Carignan vines is being used for the single varietal wine with the same name.
Organic and biodynamic promise means that their wines are made with the same minimum intervention philosophy, without chemical products and carrying out all the necessary biodynamic treatments. This is truly exciting!
So here are their wine range that you can buy from their online store (if you are in Spain):
S: made from a blend of Garnacha, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah on granitic and slaty soils, typical to Priorat. Only autochthonous yeasts are used, it is partially fermented with stems, aged 12 months in stainless steel tanks and oak chips. Unfiltered.
Pim Pam Poom is a funky wine name with a colourful label is made from a pure varietal Garnacha on pure granite soils. Only autochthonous yeasts are being used, it is fermented with stems, 4 months in stainless steal tanks.
Terram is a blend of Garnacha, Carignan and a small percentage of Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon grown organically on slaty soils. Again, only autochthonous yeasts are being used, and it is aged for 24 months in French oak barrels (50% new). Unfiltered.
Planassos is a wine of limited production as only 600 bottles are being made (its price is also top range with 60 euro price tag). It is made from 100% Carignan old vines that are grown on 320m elevated slopes in Planassos plot of land (Gratallops). Grapes are only manually harvested and selected by hand at their cellars. Again only autochthonous yeasts are used, and it enjoys ageing for 36 months in French oak barrels (50% new). Unfiltered and more mellow alcohol content of 13.5%.
I am currently having difficulties locating where to buy any of their wines in the UK. HighburyVintners had some stock of ‘S’, but it is currently out of stock. I will update this soon as soon that there is stock. Cannot believe I need to go to Spain to taste these four!
For more information on other Top Organic Wines, including organic Priorat wines, please visit the top list.
We are happy to update this post in 2018 with the information where to buy Sao del Coster wines in the UK – you can find Pim Pam Poom and ‘S’ at Organic Wine Club. Here is what’s available now.
