History Mas d'en Gil
Pere Rovira is the patriarch of this magnificent estate. Since he was a child, he has always been attracted by the world of wine. He knows the Spanish vineyards like the back of his hand, because he used to be one of Spain’s most important bulk wine buyers. He also was active in the cava business, in Penedès. But the Priorat, with all that was happening there in the 90’s, captured his attention. When the beautiful Masía Barril was put up for sale, in 1998, he acquired it on behalf of his family. The estate bore the name of its ex-owners, people from Madrid who had bought it in 1931; it was one of the few estates that bottled their wines. Before their arrival, it was called Mas d’en Gil; archives show wine was already made there in the 19th century. The owners of that time were parents of the famous Catalan painter and playwright Santiago Rusiñol, a precursor of the Catalan modernists. After they bought it, the Roviras decided to give it back its original name. In a few years, the estate has been modernised, and above all, the old vines recuperated. In 2000 Rovira also acquired the 40 ha of the neighbouring Finca el Sas. With 125 ha in total, this makes Mas d’En Gil one of the largest and most beautiful estates in the Priorat. In the beginning, Mas d’en Gil was only producing two reds and one white wine. The objective was express the specific terroir of Bellmunt del Priorat – the southernmost and lowest village of the denomination, where a lead mine used to be. What is more, Mas d’en Gil includes a superb arbequina olive orchard, which enables us to propose to you their first class oil production. The Mas also makes its own vinegar. Meanwhile, a second white wine has been added to the first, and a third red as well, only made during the best vintages: Gran Buig. Until now, only two vintages have been made: 1998 and 2004. Mas d’en Gil also produced a sweet wine, the result of many experiments, the Nus – made only in 2007. Proud of their traditions and family roots, Pere’s two daughters, Marta and Pilar Rovira form the ideal team to manage this exceptional estate. Their father can be happy to know that the estate’s future – a lifetime’s achievement - is in good hands.