Nita

Nita is a rare gem from Priorat, a region typically known for its concentrated barrel-aged reds, because it is one of the only unoaked “vino jovens,” or young wines, made in this famous appellation.  The creation of young winemaker Maritxell Palleja, Nita retains all the characteristic minerality of a Priorat wine, while showcasing the dense fruit flavors of old-vine Garnacha and Cariñena. 

Maritxell Palleja is the third generation of her family to have been raised in Priorat, where her great-grandmother Anita built their first family home, “Cal Nita,” the namesake of this wine.  After finishing her undergraduate degree in agricultural engineering, Palleja spent a harvest and crush in the Napa Valley and in Bordeaux.  She then returned to Priorat and became assistant enologist for Alvaro Palacios, before obtaining her graduate degree in enology and creating her own label, Nita. Palleja carefully selects old-vine Garnacha and Cariñena grapes from the steep, slate-covered vineyards, where low yields produce wines of great expression and complexity. A biodynamic producer, Palleja aligns her vineyard management with lunar and seasonal cycles.

Nita’s bright, unique style is matched by its intricate label design. The wine has received great accolades in European press and a prominent mention in the May 2007 issue of Bon Appetit.