100% Grapes from Organic farm in Tarragona. 0 intervention, 0 +SO2
I met Albert, te owner and winemaker of celler Mas Tuets through his friend. He is also winemaker and produces unique and authentic wines in DO Alella (a tiny appellation belongs to Barcelona). On the way to is cellar from his vineyards, he said “so are you looking for a natural wine from Tarragona (out of blue)?” I said “not particularly, but why?” He went “well, I have a friend who makes a natural wine in Tarragona area. His farm is on top of a beautiful mountain. He is a good friend of mine and his wine is unique. Last year he decided to bottle wine with his own label, without any planning or marketing research. Then he bottled over 10,000 bottles… Well you never know”… Must be a day dreamer, I thought. Until two years ago, they did not bottle any wine and suddenly he decided to make wine and he did. But how on earth he is going to sell all his wine?!
I got contact of this unique person to meet and discover his world.
Albert Navarro - winemaker
Albert is truly authentic person. You could describe him like “hippy”, but I think he is very natural, relaxed and get on with everything happens in his farm, day and life. Albert makes wine because winemaking is his happiness and joy. He wouldn’t do anything that makes him negative or upset. He is happy with his lifestyle. Looking after his vineyards and farm. Making his wine to share with his friends (and sell). Sometimes he goes for a walk in the mountain…
I spoke to many professional people about him and I think everybody felt in love with him. He is pure, natural and a good person.
I found it when he showed his farm, we were tasting his wines, and when he explains his philosophy. It seemed a little bit chaotic at the beginning, because his wine style changes every year, but he was trying his best to show what he was doing, what he wants to do and what he believes.Albert was very happy to show me around, taste all his wines of 2016 and 2017 (from tank) and explained to me how the wine was made and what he wanted to express. I think wine is honest and shows the winemakers personality. Albert is not from a famous winemaker family or does not have an excellent career. But he is working hard to reach where he wants to go.
Farm Mas TUETS
Albert’s family owns 70ha of farm in Aiguamurcia village, inland of Tarragona province (South east of Catalonia region).The farm has belonged to the family from many many years ago. Albert does not know exactly when it started. The land is distributed by beautiful green woods, 22ha of vineyards, a cellar, and a small white cottage where he lives plus a small house for his mate “Pantxu” (pig).
The farm is so quiet that I could only hear the birds singing and noise of wind. The farm is decorated with lovely natural colours; deep green of mediterranean herbs, which are almost same high as trees, purple and pale pink of wild flowers and blue sky.
Soil type is calcareous with clay.
The altitude is 560-600m above sea level, so the air is cool and fresh.
Aiguamurcia village is only 30km from Mediterranean sea and vineyards are oriented towards south, so every morning “marinada” (sea breeze) blows up and create a special micro climate; Summer is not too hot and winter is mild.
Albert makes eight wines with his own grapes grown in 6-7ha out of the 22ha of the vineyards. His wine style does not have definition. Every wine is different; Brisat (orange wine), Carbonic maceration, with amphora, ancestral (finish alcoholic fermentation in bottle)….
The family has been following organic farming (it means nothing added) for long, long time. Since 6-7 years, the farm is certified by Catalonian government. He also practice partially biodynamic farming principals. He selects only the part he agrees with; the material should be accessible locally and makes sense in Mediterranean climate.
The pillar of his wine making is “nothing added or taken away”, just 100% grapes of his farm and zero intervention. Alcoholic fermentation with natural yeast, malolactic fermentation if it happens. No finning, no stabilisation, or filtering. He does not add SO2. He works (hard) in vineyards, just bare in mind that his farms is like natural reserve, but nothing in cellar. His aim is to help the wine expresses itself.
TU-ETS means “YOU ARE” in Catalonian language. I think this is the perfect name of this farm and wines.
TOT
Blend of 7 different grapes of the farm -Parellada, Macabeo, Garnacha Blanca, Chenin Blanc, Moscatell Alexandria, Syrah and Tempranillo.
Elevage: All the grapes area harvested on the same day and blend. De-stemmed and through into a stainless steel tank.15h skin contact.
It is pale like rose wine, but aromatic, savoury and long. Similar to Clarete of Bierzo, but more elegant.
