Grapes: Vernatxa Gris
Region: Terra Alta, Catalonia, Spain
Vintage: 2024
Viticulture: Organic
Soils: Petrified sand dunes
Yeasts: Native
Vinification: The grapes are hand-harvested and placed whole-cluster into tank. They are then lightly foot-trod and left to ferment and age on skins for 30 days. The wine is then racked off the skins and aged on the lees for at least seven months.
Aging: 7 months
Fining or Filtering: None
Notes from the Importer: Brothers Francesc and Joan Ferré produce superbly energetic natural wines from their 20 hectares of vines in Corbera d’Ebre, located in the Terra Alta region of Catalonia. For well over 200 years, the Ferré family has been growing grapes and olives in this area. Traditionally, farmers would sell off their grapes at low prices right after each harvest. One year, a large buyer cancelled their purchase at the last moment, and in 2009, the young brothers Francesc and Joan decided to produce their own wines in order to find their independence and create their own wines that properly reflect their proud hometown of Corbera. The name Frisach was the surname of their great-grandfather, and the name Ca Frisach still adorns the family home where they live.
For many years, Catalonia has had an active scene of natural winemakers, and Francesc began to taste it with eagerness and driven dedication. He spent time at natural wine fairs with other winemakers to absorb as much knowledge as possible. Travel across Catalonia and through France (especially yearly trips to prepare Paella for friends in the Jura) allowed him to broaden his vision of winemaking, and his style rapidly evolved towards less extraction and less intervention. Today, the wines are joyful, dazzling, and playful while still evolving.
