Nobody really knew about the Somontano region at the western end of the Pyrenees in Catalonia until the end of the last century. Yet this region, whose name translates as "at the foot of the mountains", was once famous for its wines, which became even better known when phylloxera raged on the other side of the Pyrenees in France. However, this heyday came to an abrupt end when phylloxera reached Spain and Somontano fell into oblivion. It is to Enate's credit that this outstanding region has been revived and brought to the attention of discerning wine connoisseurs. The region, like other regions in Spain, has a harsh climate with hot summers and cold winters. The temperature fluctuations between day and night are also extreme, but this climate has proven itself for top wines if you can handle it. In any case, the founders of Enate were not deterred by this. The winery was started in 1993, designed by Madrid-born architect Jesús Manzanarez, and was officially opened in 1997. The winery is state-of-the-art and offers everything needed to produce outstanding wines. The wines have been on the road to success right from the start, thanks in part to the highly talented winemaker Jesús Artajona, who gained experience at the world-class winery Chateau Margaux, among others. It is no wonder that the vineyards are primarily planted with French grape varieties, Chardonnay for white wines, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah for red wines. But the indigenous Tempranillo is also represented. A specialty is Gewürztraminer, which is rarely found in these latitudes. Overall, the wines offer an excellent price/enjoyment ratio. Icon wines have long been the "Enate Uno Chardonnay" and the "Enate Uno Tinto", both of which are adorned with an artist's label. Enate also convincingly demonstrates that wine and art form a perfect symbiosis, as the winery is also home to an important collection of contemporary Spanish art.
