Celler 9+ is located in La Nou de Gaià, a small village surrounded by vineyards. The winery was opened amid the financial turmoil of 2010, founded by Moisès Virgili i Rovira with the consistent and ongoing support of his family. Moisès started working the land very young, inspired by his grandparents who grew a mixed crop of olives, grapes, carob and hazelnuts. His passion for agriculture led him to study agri-food engineering and oenology, followed by experience across Catalonia and further afield in Chile and South Africa. After working for several years at wineries in Priorat and Penedès, it was time to start his own project. Today the family manage around 42 hectares – an assortment of land which has been passed down or is leased from retired neighbours who have known Moisès since he was a boy and have seen Celler 9+ grow over the years. The vineyards reflect the generations of different farmers, with vines ranging from newly planted to 65 years old. Most are indigenous, with a small selection of international varieties. The family also grow varieties which they feel have been underestimated: this year sees the release of a new orange wine made purely with Sumoll. Minimal labels by Pràctica Design honour the winery’s low intervention approach, taking inspiration from the name of the cellar itself: La Nou, the name of the village, translates as ‘the nine’ or ‘the new’, while the plus sign reflects the desire to improve and evolve.
For 5è 2020, Sumoll grapes are de-stemmed, pressed and filled into stainless steel tanks where the must rests for 24 hours. The next day, the clear must is separated and fermented for 12 days at 14-15ºC. Following ancestral method, the wine is bottled before finishing fermentation, resulting in delicate bubbles. A versatile wine influenced by the Mediterranean wind, with a long finish and a touch of citrus. Chill and enjoy as an aperitif or with white fish and red peppers.