A Vineyard, A Winery, and Wine-Tasting (Not!)

Although we had no idea our tour to Montserrat included a trip to a vineyard and winery, this side trip turned out to be one of the most educational of the trip.  I seriously had no idea there was such a science to making wine!  The place we visited was all owned by one family since 1790.  From growing the grapes at different sea levels for different soils and climates, to fertilizing with sheep which allowed no chemicals to be used on the plants, to having beehives for greater pollination, to having the wine barrels the wine is stored in made from only a specific type of wood, to having daughter-in-laws with PhDs to study the science of wine-making to its fullest, the Pares Balta vineyard and winery does it all!

The tour included a trip to the cellar to see rows and rows of wines as far as the eye could see.

And when we sat on the edge as observers during the wine-tasting party, the hostess couldn't believe when we asked for some Coke Light as the other guests tried many different types and varieties of wine.  I'm sure that doesn't happen very often when tour groups come, but she sweetly accommodated us!  We felt so badly that Doug missed out on all this since he wasn't feeling well and stayed on the bus.

For more pictures of all our vineyard and winery tour which my sister put together, just go to:

http://sixgirlsoneboy.blogspot.com/2012/02/wine-tasting-in-spain.html