Mas Martinet: The Heart of the Priorat Renaissance
Founded in 1989 by Josep Lluís Pérez, one of the "five pioneers" credited with reviving the Priorat region, Mas Martinet is a foundational pillar of modern Spanish wine. Today, the estate is led by his daughter, Sara Pérez, an icon of organic and agroecological viticulture. Under her guidance, the winery has shifted away from the heavy extraction of the 1990s toward a style that emphasizes freshness, biodiversity, and the "liquid landscape" of the Gratallops hills.
Why This Estate Stands Out
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The "Clos" Legacy: Josep Lluís Pérez was part of the original group—alongside René Barbier and Álvaro Palacios—that transformed Priorat from a bulk-wine region into a world-class destination. Mas Martinet was the vehicle for his scientific approach to terroir.
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Agroecological Pioneer: Sara Pérez has transformed the estate into a living ecosystem. The vineyards are farmed according to organic and biodynamic principles, with a focus on regenerating the soil and maintaining native flora to provide natural shade and resilience against the Mediterranean heat.
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Evolution of Style: While the estate’s early wines were known for their power and oak, Sara has moved toward minimal intervention. She utilizes concrete tanks, clay amphorae, and glass demijohns to preserve the vibrant fruit and saline minerality of the famous llicorella (slate) soils.
The Winemaking Style
The Mas Martinet portfolio is a journey through the history and geography of Priorat. Each wine represents a different era or a specific slope:
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The Reds: They are characterized by transparency and tension. Rather than chasing high alcohol, Sara focuses on lower pH levels and "relaxed" tannins, creating wines that are deeply complex yet incredibly fluid and drinkable.
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The Whites & Orange Wines: The estate is also a leader in white wine innovation, producing textured, skin-macerated "Brisat" wines that revive ancestral Mediterranean techniques.
Key Wines
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Clos Martinet: The flagship. A single-vineyard blend of Garnacha, Syrah, and Cariñena. It is the most "classical" expression of the estate—deep, warm, and elegant with exceptional aging potential.
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Martinet Bru: Often called the "gateway to Priorat." Sourced from vineyards cooled by the Garbinada sea breeze, it is a modern, fresh, and approachable red that retains the region's signature mineral structure.
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Camí Pesseroles: A tribute to the 1950s. Sourced from ancient Cariñena and Garnacha vines, this wine is fermented in chestnut barrels and aged in clay, offering a rustic, earthy, and profound minerality.
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Els Escurçons: A 100% Garnacha from high-altitude ferruginous slate soils. It is ethereal and delicate, escaping the typical "weight" of Priorat to offer pure finesse.
