A thousand years of farming
In a gentle hollow, very close to the farm house, towards the south-east, stands the oldest olive tree on the estate. Planted nearly a millennium ago, it is a living witness of the continual activity of farming on the Mas d’en Gil estate – from long before the Carthusian monks arrived in Scala Dei. This emblematic tree, which suffered badly during the 2009 snows, is surrounded by steeply sloping vineyards, some disperse holm oaks and little plots of cereal, all making up an undulating image of ancient Mediterranean farmland.
Altitude: aproximately 300m above sea level
Main Aspect: South-facing
Area: 10 hectares (25 acres)
Climate
Facing the midday sun, the Clot de l’Oliver plot is a shining semi-circle which embraces the Garbinada (sea breeze). This pleasant sea breeze lowers extreme temperatures especially on hot summer afternoons.
Terroirs
Dark brown and brownish, with blue and orange streaks, the soils are littered with Llicorella (slate) which make up the most part of the soil types of the area.
Crops
This place is perfect for providing a diverse and balanced farming mosaic landscape: olive groves, barley and wheat, steeply sloping vineyards and terraced vineyards. The grape varieties which are farmed here are Carinyena (Carignan) on thelower levels and Garnatxa Blanca and Negra (White and Red Grenache) on the upper levels.
Wines
The vineyards of the oldest red grape varieties are selected for our Clos Fontà, our top level wine at Mas d’en Gil. The Garnatxa Blanca (White Grenache) grapes are used for making Coma Blanca, our top white wine made on the estate.
