Aiming at producing fresh wines from mountain vineyards, Cara Nord was founded in 2012 by Tomas Cusiné (Castell del Remei, Cérvoles and Tomás Cusiné) and Xavier Cepero. Both of them were familiar with the potential of high-elevation vineyards on the hillsides of Montañas de Prades, a mountain range which is part of the Cordillera Prelitoral Catalana. This rugged area stands at a crossroads of various Catalan wine producing regions: Les Garriges in DO Costers del Segre, the southern part of DO Conca de Barberá and Montsant and Priorat further south.
Cusiné is well-established in Costers del Segre where he owns Cérvoles and a second, eponymous winery, but the prevalent north-facing exposure in Conca de Barberà was particularly appealing to produce fresh, expressive wines. While elevation helps to have a longer ripening cycle, the higher incidence of UV radiation results in thicker berry skins and hence more pronounced colour, aromas and flavour.
Cara Nord sources grapes from 24 hectares of vines, 8 of which are their own, going up to 800 metres above sea level. These dry-farmed vineyards find some relief during the long, dry summer thanks to the Marinada, the sea breeze that starts blowing at noon. Soils range from slate in the mountain hillsides to limestone-clay with pebbles in the area’s narrow valleys. The oldest vines, about 80-year-old, are Macabeo. The rest include Trepat and trellised vineyards of Garnacha, Syrah, Garrut (Monastrell), Chardonnay and Albariño with an average age of 15 years.
The range of wines starts with the entry-level Cara Nord, both white and red, often found under €10 in Spain. The white is a blend of Macabeo, Chardonnay and directly-pressed Trepat aged for three months on the lees in stainless steel tanks. The expressive, spicy red blends Garnacha, Syrah and Garrut (Monastrell) and is aged for six months in French oak.
The varietal range focuses on the indigenous Trepat grape, which is produced as a red (€12.5) with 10 months’ ageing in stainless steel tanks, and as a rosé (€10.5). There is also a Cara Nord Garrut (Monastrell, €15), 50% of which is aged in amphorae and the rest in 500-litre French oak barrels.
