Sara Perez, Rene Barbier IV, together with 6 other friends (Ester Nin, Nuria Perez, Montse Mateos, Iban Foix, Julien and Philippe Thévenon Basté, founded back on 2000 the project of La Vinya del Vuit. There are not many projects focused on wine without an economic purpose, but La Vinya del Vuit is one of them. The aim of the project was to revive 4.5ha of old vineyards near Gratallops, in the Coll de Falset, in the heart of Priorat. The Carignan vineyard is over 100 years old; also containing small parcels of Grenache. A harsh but beautiful landscape of nutrient-poor degradated licorella, high altitudes, hot days and cold nights, and terraced vineyards that must be worked by hand producing very little fruit. Vineyards with a production of 100 g per plant, which means that between 8 and 10 vines are needed for each bottle of wine.  

The land is managed organically with the help of a mule and the wine is vinified at Clos Mogador Cellar. Production methods are artisanal, and the Eight produce just 1900 to 2000 bottles per vintage. The wine is a blend of 95% Carignan and 5% Grenache, hand harvested in the early dawn hours and rushed to the winery in small, refrigerated trucks. After a partial crush, the wine is allowed to ferment naturally on its own yeasts in 500-Lt open-top casks. A second crush is then performed, and the wine is left to ferment slowly for up to another month before being racked (gravity only) into 2nd and 3rd year 300-Lt French and Austrian oak barriques where it rests for 18 months before a final racking and bottling. After a further 2 years of bottle ageing, the wines are released. 

Since its creation, Vinya del Vuit takes a new look with every vintage. The labels range is diverse, creative, and even controversial at times. Designed by Joanji and his studio, JJBertran, it was the designer’s first project, when he was starting, and it has always been especially important for him. It is so important that, under the guidelines of a theme established by the members and the vintage, he has full freedom to offer a risky and modern design. 

“Back in 2016 while eating together at Sara & Rene’s place, they were passionately discussing how deep, dark, unpenetrable but on the end absolutely captivating and thrilling was the 2015 vintage; exactly like a dark lady. A new Vuit label was conceived that afternoon”, said Joanji.