Franck Massard Inglés - Franck Massard

DOQ Priorat / Coster GPS 41°14'17.3"N 0°49'51.9"E

Aceite de oliva / Olivos GPS 41°04'23.8"N 0°43'41.1"E

Rias Baixas / Viñedo GPS 42°27'58.7"N 8°34'58.0"W

DOQ Priorat / Almendro en Flor GPS 41°14'10.8"N 0°50'03.4"E

DO Terra Alta / Viñedo GPS 41°06'51.7"N 0°25'05.0"E

DOQ Priorat / Viñedo GPS 41°14'26.1"N 0°49'39.0"E

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Deadlier than bears and spiders

Deadlier than bears and spiders “Killer wasps” “The biggest wasp

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I wanted to produce a Priorat wine that was the tr

I wanted to produce a Priorat wine that was the true reflection of the terroir and the minerality so particular to this area and thus achieve the freshness that is often lacking in the region. A wine that is a beauty, a simple and elegant wine.

The grapes have been carefully selected and have been grown in vineyards located on very steep terraces, with adequate exposure to sunlight to reach the optimum ripeness point.

In the cellar, we perform a gentle extraction and the wine partially matures in the barrel to provide stability and complexity without losing the freshness of its fruity character.

#franckmassardwines #winelovers #winemaker #sommeliers #doqpriorat #whitewine #whitegrenache

The Ocellated lizard (Lacerta lepidus) Among the f

The Ocellated lizard (Lacerta lepidus)
Among the fauna of the vineyard, we find this medium-sized reptile; the ocellated lizard. It can measure up to 20cm counting only from the head to its body; if we include the tail it could be up to double!
We can find it in crop fields, orchards with open spaces, hedges, bushes, stone walls, rocks and grasslands.
Although the lizard normally feeds on insects (mealy bugs, grasshoppers, beetles, bees) it does not reject snails, earthworms or spiders. Adult specimens can consume small vertebrates and even fruit. This ability to access various foods indicates the healthy condition of our vineyard.
Their breeding season begins in April or early May. That is why both males and females at this time are very colourful and striking; in order to attract the attention of a possible partner.
At the end of May or June, the females lay from 6 to 23 eggs (oval and elongated). They usually lay these in tree cavities or between rocks.
The most characteristic predators of our protagonist are snakes and the short-toed eagle.

Credit for source of information:
José Antonio Latorre
latorrejimenez.jose@gmail.com
joselatorre.wordpress.com

#franckmassardwines #biodiversidade #biodiversity #winemaker #vineyards #ecology #ecofriendly #consciousness

Instagram post 17984129027121698

Instagram post 17984129027121698

Winemaking is my passion. It is what motivates me

Winemaking is my passion. It is what motivates me and moves me to do what I do. It is a process of constant learning and evolution. Follow your passion, and the rest will come by itself.

#franckmassard #winemaking #winemaker #sommelierlife🍷 #doqpriorat #workhard #passion #winelover

Since we have noticed that our soil is healthier w

Since we have noticed that our soil is healthier with a straw cover. Increase in organic matter, increase in activities of micro-organisms, increase in enzymatic reactions. We are gradually adding straw on our soil.

Healthy soil = Healthy vines = Better wine 🍷

Stable Communities What are we talking about when

Stable Communities

What are we talking about when we say stable communities? What are these communities in the surroundings of our vineyard? Let me explain; they are areas of land with their own wild vegetation and fauna, which are not altered by agricultural impact (e.g. cultivation, use of herbicides, and pesticides). They are also an important reservoir for many subterranean microorganisms, of vital importance for the healthy development of the vineyard.

As such, these stable communities can be considered as a mosaic of refuge-islands for all the biological diversity that would otherwise leave our crops.

By keeping these islands, these biotopes intact, we ensure that the entire area - cultivated or not - tends towards ecological balance and stability which is something I always aim for as a winemaker and grower.

Credit for source of information:
José Antonio Latorre
latorrejimenez.jose@gmail.com
joselatorre.wordpress.com

#franckmassardwines #biology #biodiversity #ecofriendly #ecofriendlyliving #winemaking #vineyards #naturelovers

Hi, From vine-grower it is only a small step to be

Hi,
From vine-grower it is only a small step to be a beekeeper. On 2nd May, I’ve had my first experience introducing 2 bee swarms into their new beehives. Maybe the most stimulating part was to see some baby bees popping their heads off their tiny cells. And to our surprise one beehive that was devastated last year by the Asian wasp was back in activivity.

Nature is powerful 😊

Franck Massard

#naturelovers #ecofriendlyliving #biodiversity #beekeeper #bees🐝 #honey #queenbee #powerofnature #faunaandflora

Butterfly count in the vineyard As part of the bi

Butterfly count in the vineyard

As part of the biodiversity project in the vineyard, butterflies play an important role. It’s clear that they enhance the beauty of the landscapes and areas they live in, but their worth goes further than that. They are good indicators of environmental quality and the health of ecosystems; proof that the natural spaces where they live are free of chemicals.

These Lepidoptera are very important for the pollination of the flora as well as forming an important part of the ecosystem, since other species such as birds and bats, feed on them.

But do you know what its biological cycle is? First, after reproducing, the females lay their eggs (generally under the leaves) then the caterpillars hatch and immediately feed on the plant within their reach. After a few weeks they will make the chrysalis from which the majestic butterflies will emerge.

And as I mentioned at the beginning, they have a great aesthetic value: they beautify the landscape and serve as an artistic inspiration due to their shapes, colours and their metamorphosis... (This is something you will soon understand...)

The work that José does counting butterflies is crucial to understanding the delicate balance of the ecosystems in the vineyard. We currently have 41 species in the vineyard, clear proof that the production of our wines has 0% intervention by herbicides and insecticides, thus taking care of our environment. This is the reason for the study and protection of these little beings. I think it is important to raise awareness and make future generations aware of this, to learn to preserve them, with value and respect.

#doqpriorat #biodiversity #ecofriendly #environment #consciousness #faunandflora #winemakers #sommelier #butterfly

Snapdragons or Dragon Flowers (Antirrhinum barreli

Snapdragons or Dragon Flowers (Antirrhinum barrelieri)

Do you recognise this curious plant? Snapdragons are tall plants with a woody stalk which can grow to over 1 meter in height. Its leaves can be symmetrical or scattered; in lanceolate shape as if they were the blade of a spear. The flowers bloom in spring and autumn, which is why I’ve chosen to talk about them in this post.

As you can see in the photos, the pink flowers are gathered in tight clusters at the end of each stem. They are shaped like a closed mouth which opens and closes when the sides of the flower are pressed gently with your fingers; hence the name Snapdragons.

Because of these characteristics, only large insects such as bees and bumblebees and those with long tongues can get to the nectar. Other insects cannot reach their succulent delights…

The Antirrhinum is native to the western Mediterranean, where it grows in bushes, grasslands and rocky areas and although the plant prefers chalky and limestone soils, it will also grow in soils rich in silica.

#doqpriorat #winelover #winemaker #sommelier #vineyards #snapdragons #biodiversity #ecofriendly #environment #biodiversidad #faunaandflora

A beautiful morning in the vineyards. Climate, vin

A beautiful morning in the vineyards. Climate, vines and soil; together they make our wines so unique.

#franckmassard #vineyardsviews #winelover #winemaking #spring #nature #picoftheday

The work after the harvest does not end in the vin

The work after the harvest does not end in the vineyard. Sorting tables at the winery are essential!

In an effort to improve wine quality, with team members lining the sides of the sorting table, the grape clusters are meticulously spread out to hand sort individual berries to remove unwanted material such as raisins, diseased berries, unripe berries, rot, uneven ripening or even materials other than grapes such as leaves and stems.

This grape sorting table acts as the last filtration point to what makes it into the winery.

#franckmassard #winemaker #winemaking #sommelier #doqpriorat #theselection #viticulture

I wanted to produce a Priorat wine that was the tr

I wanted to produce a Priorat wine that was the true reflection of the terroir and the minerality so particular to this area and thus achieve the freshness that is often lacking in the region. A wine that is a beauty, a simple and elegant wine.

The grapes have been carefully selected and have been grown in vineyards located on very steep terraces, with adequate exposure to sunlight to reach the optimum ripeness point.

In the cellar, we perform a gentle extraction and the wine partially matures in the barrel to provide stability and complexity without losing the freshness of its fruity character.

#franckmassardwines #doqpriorat #winestagram #winesfromspain #picnic #winelover #sommelier #winemaking

As part of the Project to encourage and increase d

As part of the Project to encourage and increase diversity of fauna, we have installed a box for bats to inhabit in one of our vineyards of El Priorat. The box has an entrance leading to a larger structure inside, which has the capacity to house 50 to 60 of these tiny mammals!

These animals are 100% insectivores so they can be of great help to control insect plagues which can have a detrimental effect on the vine. For example, it is a predator of the most harmful pest we have here – the cluster moth (Lobesia botrana), a small butterfly that attacks the cluster, causing serious damage.

As a curious fact, these small animals can eat at least half their own weight per day purely feeding on insects. They are very active, so they need to eat constantly.

Their mating and reproduction season begins in spring, so it is common to see them fluttering around our vineyards at this time of year, and you can even see them in urban areas. Each female normally has one offspring, which she carries on her chest as she flies. They have a very long life expectancy for such a small animal: from 20 to 40 years.

These airborne mammals are considered good bio-indicators since they are essential for the proper functioning of the ecosystem. They act as pest controllers, thus maintaining a balance in the places where they live.

As a result, losing the bats in this region would bring negative consequences, since it has been proven that a large part of the sustainability that exists in our vineyards is thanks to the work of these small mammals.

The indiscriminate use of insecticides, atmospheric pollution and the lack of shelters to protect themselves, have been the main causes of the decrease in their numbers.

With the implementation of these boxes, we hope to attract the bats and keep them around in our vineyards. It is a small action yet a clear indicator of how we take care of our environment.

Credit for source of information:
José Antonio Latorre
latorrejimenez.jose@gmail.com
joselatorre.wordpress.com

#franckmassard #biodiversity #nature #ecofriendly #naturelover #bats #fauna #spring

When I think about what I want my wines to be like

When I think about what I want my wines to be like, I look for something unique, with character, and with the authenticity that the exclusive Priorat terroir provides.

In my vineyards we make red wines from Garnacha, Syrah and Cariñena.

#franckmassardwines #winesfromspain #doqpriorat #vineyard #winemakers #winemaking #sommeliers #grenache #syrah #carignan

It's been a week since spring arrived to Spain. Th

It's been a week since spring arrived to Spain. The vineyard in this season becomes a visual and sensory spectacle.

We could say that this season is the rebirth of the vine: the pleasant breeze and the warmth of the sun makes the the flow of the sage get back to work and to recirculate inside the vine, also, listening to the birds sing and watching the butterflies flying again around the vines is priceless.

We have given the vines their natural fertilizer, taken the shoots out of the vineyard and now we are going to prepare the biochar. I'll keep you updated...

Cheers!

#franckmassard #winelover #winemaking #winery #winemaker #vineyards #springbreak #springtime #ecofriendly #biodiversity #butterfly

Hi and happy Friday! So I have been in El Priorat

Hi and happy Friday!

So I have been in El Priorat again this week, working with my naturalist José and making some videos for you all to update you about my vineyards and various biodiversity projects.

You can expect to see some videos in the coming weeks! Topics include a vintage update of the region, an update about the grafting of 100 year old vines, bat boxes, some information about yeasts for the wine geeks out there! And perhaps more seriously, the Asian Wasp plague we have suffered here in Spain and how a project I am doing with my son may help combat this plague in the future.

We also had time for a little tasting of my Bellesa Perfecta 2019 which is a fantastic vintage, lots of red fruits, floral and herbal notes like thyme and lavender and is particularly fresh with its cooling Mediterranean influence - I hope you get a chance to taste it. Let me know what you think!

Cheers everyone!

Franck.

#franckmassardwines #winelover #winemoments🍷 #winemaking #vineyards #vineyardviews #doqpriorat #biodiversity #ecofriendly #naturelovers #spring

Grafting Vines The history of the Priorat región

Grafting Vines

The history of the Priorat región has always drawn my attention and to be able to form part of it is an absolute privilege.

Our heritage as a winemaking region started with the monks who settled in El Priorat in the 10th century and began their viticulture work on the land. Since then, the region has become a benchmark in the world of wines, and for this reason it has continued to be cultivated until the present day.

In my opinion, the rich history of the region holds a lot of importance. I am proud to have vines from the last century growing in our vineyards; but it also requires effort and specialised work.

In one of our plots, the vines are over 100 years old, and we want to continue tending to them. In order to obtain fruit from these plants that are still productive, we must carry out meticulous work, and use a technique based on grafts.

The idea is to keep the trunk of the old vine and leave one or two arms or branches, which are thick enough to receive a graft of a cutting from other younger and stronger vines.

To explain a little more, it works just like a hair graft: a "foreign" part is added to the body in question; in this case a cutting is grafted on to the vine. It is expected that the grafted cutting will grow and develop in order to obtain the same benefits as an original part.

It is a technique that requires patience and constant vigilance. And we have already started the necessary processes to carry it out. I'll let you know how everything progresses!

Franck

#franckmassardwines #winelover #vineyards #vineyardwork #workhard #doqpriorat #sommelier #winemaker #winemaking

Common Blackbird (Turdus merula) Being in El Prio

Common Blackbird (Turdus merula)

Being in El Priorat is as much of an audial experience as it is visual. One of the sounds I love to hear the most is the song of this charming bird: the common blackbird.

Did you know that its song is the most melodic of all the birds? This little bird is characterised by its black plumage for the males and brown plumage for females. Its size varies between 24-25cm in length.

The blackbird can live in many different environments. It’s a bird that easily adapts to its surroundings which is why we can often see them both in gardens of more urban areas and also in forests, fields (and in my vineyards in El Priorat).

During the month of March, the temperatures will begin to increase. The blackbird will start its search for a mating partner and begin construction of what will be its future nest for its chicks; this stage usually lasts until April. Blackbirds can lay 3-5 eggs which they will incubate for around 15 days.

At just two weeks old, the chicks leave the nest but will still be fed for a further 15 days by the male bird, since the female will already be in charge of making a second clutch.

These birds feed on all kinds of insects and other invertebrates along with a wide variety of wild or cultivated fruits, such as grapes, olives, blackberries...
The blackbird’s flight is very agile. It moves lightly and with great skill, generally at low altitude. But what I find funniest is being able to see how they move on the firm ground, with small jumps. They always make me smile!
I leave you some photos of some blackbirds that we have been able to find in El Priorat.
Best,
Franck.

Credit for source of information:
José Antonio Latorre
latorrejimenez.jose@gmail.com
joselatorre.wordpress.com

#franckmassardwines #biodiversity #biodiversityprotection #protectnature #naturelover #winelover #vineyards #doqpriorat

Today we want to honor our working women. Where th

Today we want to honor our working women. Where there’s a woman, there’s magic. Happy International Women’s Day! 🍇

#internationalwomensday #womensday #womenpower #franckmassardwines #winelover #winemakers #vineyards🍇

“Deadlier than bears and spiders” “Killer wa

“Deadlier than bears and spiders”
“Killer wasps”
“The biggest wasp in the world threatens to invade Spain”

These are some of the famous headlines of 2020 when it was made known that the Asian wasp may invade Spain.

And so it was: the Asian wasp came to Spain and many other countries. It soon spread throughout the Peninsula and El Priorat was no exception.

This wasp can measure up to 5cm in length (four times as long as a common wasp) and up to 7.5cm with its wings extended!

It is known that just a few bites can be lethal for us humans!

One of the biggest problems, however, is how this wasp affects our biodiversity. It’s a massive predator of bees: it can destroy entire hives.

In the face of these attacks it is necessary to take measures, since our biodiversity, especially of the vineyard, is affected by this species.

A value that I defend and promote as a winegrower is sustainable development that is respectful of the environment. I try to do everything I can to take care of it and encourage an increase in biodiversity. I have a passion for nature, and my goal is to take care of it.

The disappearance of our bees could start a spiral of problems that would harm the sustainable development of our environment...

That is why together with my friend José A. Latorre, a biodiversity specialist, we are looking for a way to eradicate these wasps.

In the photos you can see the traps that we installed in the vineyard to be able to put an end to this pest and take care of our fauna and flora. And in the last photo a sign in Catalan:
“Attention! Bees”.

Credit for source of information:
José Antonio Latorre
latorrejimenez.jose@gmail.com
joselatorre.wordpress.com

#franckmassardwines #biodiversity #biology #environment #naturephotography #asianwasp #wasp #animalovers #fauna #doqpriorat

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