Sights of Torrent

Tucked in a quiet corner of the Costa Brava Baix Empordà, just outside the small village of Torrent, is a small local winery Mas Oller. Surrounded in part by a tall, yet strangely reassuring wall of cypress trees that promise gardens, al fresco dinners and other delights of countryside living, the winery is located in a 17th century masía (a rural mansion typical of Catalonia) where visitors are welcome throughout the year with set opening hours and no appointment required.

I am a big fan of wineries that cater to a casual visitor who is after a fun, no strings attached wine experience. No prior arrangements, Spanish or (god forbid) Catalan language skills, nor a deep wallet. Wineries with an air of exclusivity, an expensive and rare product, facilities not generally open to the public can be found in any appellation. Wineries such as Mas Oller are a welcome antidote.

Come in the off-season period, and you will likely find no crowds and an empty tasting room with complimentary crackers and wine route guides, manned by a single member of staff. Come in the high season, and you will have to wait your turn to taste, walk the vineyard, or chat about the wines Mas Oller has been making since the 2000s. Two reds (Plus and Pur), one white (Mar) and one rosé (Aquarel·lo) are currently on offer, produced from the estate-grown varietals of Syrah, Garnacha, and Cabernet Sauvignon. The white wine is made from more local and less well-known grapes of Picapoll and Malvasía de Sitges.

The countryside charm of the restored masía serves as the perfect backdrop for events, such as evenings of live music and wine, guided tastings and gastronomic experiences. A private tasting room is available to accommodate larger groups and private events. Whichever one is more your cup of tea, Mas Oller is approachable, friendly and non-committal. It is well worth a visit if you are vacationing in the nearby Begur or Pals.

Visitor information
Address: Ctra. GI-652, km 0.235 | 17123 Torrent, Girona
Phone: + 34 972 30 00 01
Email: info@masoller.es
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Winery tour duration: 1.5 hours
Tour cost: 17€ (wine tasting included)
Languages spoken: Catalan, Spanish, English, French

The Pistacia lentiscus tree that stands next to the intersection of highways C-31 and C-66, not far from the Mas Oller winery, is one of the monumental trees in Catalonia, nature’s monuments that are all protected heritage sites.

The height of the Pistacia lentiscus is 5.5 m and the trunk thickness is 1.9 m, while the average diameter of the crown is 8.0 m. The tree has been drying out for many years now, but periodic trimmings help prolong its life. The main branches are supported by metal braces to prevent breakage and collapse.

Phone: 972 303 292