Celler Cecilio is located in Gratallops, in the heart of Priorat, and was the first winery registered in the D.O.Ca. It is a family estate dedicated to making and bottling wine since 1942, established and founded by Cecilio Vicent, father of the current owner and winemaker, August. When Cecilio, a native of Valencia, settled in the Priorat, he met and married into a family with many hectares of vineyards. At this time, these vineyards had been neglected, so Cecilio set about restoring them ­- first selling his grapes to the local cooperative while studying winemaking. Finally, in 1942, he began bottling his own wines in a small stable that he renovated into a cellar and is still in operation today under his son August Vicent’s stewardship.

Vicent farms four vineyard sites in Gratallops and one in El Lloar – 9 hectares in total. The oldest vines are located in Els Espills, where the Garnatxa and Carinyena are 80 years old. His remaining plots, El Plana, Mas d’en Corral, La Sort, and L’Aubada, were replanted starting in the 1980s and finishing with L’Aubada, converted from an olive grove to a vineyard in 2004. These newer sites are planted with Garnatxa Negra, Garnatxa Blanca, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah.

The Black Slate Gratallops comes from a blend of older and younger vine fruit originating from August’s vineyards near the village. It showcases both the power typical of Gratallops, as well as the charmingly elegant and rustic touch of Vicent’s winemaking.

This profile and tasting notes were edited from the European Cellars website, along with the pictures used. For more information please visit: European Cellars.