Our soils, the origin of our wines’ uniqueness

At Herència Altés, we believe that understanding where we come from is essential to keep moving forward. That’s why we’ve promoted the GARSOL study, a project that has taken us even further in exploring our viticultural landscape.

The GARSOL Project —“Positioning wines made from Garnacha through the knowledge of their specificity, derived from the edaphological characteristics of the Terra Alta wine-growing areas”— aims to strengthen the competitiveness of the Terra Alta wine sector through a scientific understanding of the terroir concept: the unique interaction between soil, topography and climate that makes each of our wines unrepeatable.
👉 More information at innovi.cat

This project was born from the union and collaboration of several wineries in Terra Alta, all sharing the same goal: to better understand our Garnatxa Blanca and how each terroir leaves its own distinctive mark on the wine.
A combination of factors such as physiography, geomorphology, and soil composition and structure directly influences water retention, vine nutrition, and ultimately, the unique character of each vintage.

🧪 Methodology

• Soil pits (profiles) were dug to describe the different layers and collect representative samples.
• The samples were analysed in the laboratory to determine their physical and chemical characteristics: texture, organic matter content, water-holding capacity (CRAD), pH, electrical conductivity, and other key parameters. 
• The data collected were interpreted to identify the agronomic potential and management implications of each plot, as well as to highlight the factors that contribute to the uniqueness of each terroir.

La Serra Blanc: balance and depth from a “wildland wine”

• Very deep soil (>120 cm), rich in organic matter (the highest among those studied) and with excellent water-holding capacity.

• Franco-clay texture, well-structured and well-drained.

• Historically formed on wild shrubland terrain, which encouraged a remarkable accumulation of organic matter.
• Fertile soil, ideal for dry-farming vineyards, allowing for wines of great expressiveness and complexity.

Implication: The fertile, deep soil favours homogeneous ripening, resulting in a Garnatxa Blanca with silky texture and breadth on the palate. The good water availability allows fresh acidity to be preserved, while the soil’s organic richness contributes a creamy, balanced sensation, characteristic of our La Serra Blanc — a wine born from a living, deep soil full of history.

Benufet: purity and tension from Garnatxa on red shales

• Shallow to moderately deep soils (40–60 cm), formed on red shales.
• Franco-clay or loamy texture with a lower organic matter content.
• Moderate water-holding capacity, sufficient to sustain dry-farmed vines.
• Terraced slopes requiring careful management, yet naturally limiting yields and enhancing quality.

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The result is a wine with energy, minerality and vibrant acidity, expressing the purest, most direct side of Garnatxa Blanca.
The red shales, rich in iron, add subtle saline and earthy notes, while the combination with old vines brings greater tension, freshness and elegance, and a strong, distinctive personality.

⛰️One landscape, endless Garnatxas

The study confirms what we have long intuited: in Terra Alta there isn’t just one Garnatxa Blanca, but an infinity of nuances — shaped by the terroir, the clone and the winemaking approach.

The scientific research of the GARSOL project allows us to explain —with more precision and also with more emotion— why every bottle is truly unique and unrepeatable.

The singularity of our wines is born from the landscape that gives them life and becomes the most authentic voice of the land that nurtures them.