Jaume Clarella was born in 1448 in Can Clarella, a country house in the middle of some woods close to Ripoll. They were times of political and economic changes. Catalonia, during this period, suffered from massive depopulation that caused serious social and economic distortions. Jaume came from a farming family from Ripollès county and had many brothers and sisters. Because of the lack of opportunities and the fact of not being the heir of the property, he set off to seek his fortune away from home. Pere Pujolons and his wife Marquesa del Ferrer only had three children. They were owners of two country houses with a large extension of lands and they needed labourers. Jaume was a strong and intelligent young man, which made him a valuable asset for the property. In no time at all Jaume won the respect and affection of the family. Above all, of the daughter. Customs and social traditions were very deep-rooted. Natural succession dictated that the first-born inherited the family properties. But Pere Pujolons and Marquesa accepted and approved the marriage of their daughter Francina and Jaume. They married on the 4th of May 1466, and just as the documents of the marriage contracts record, they inherited Mas Pujolons, which from then on would become known as Mas Clarella. The family lineage lived on and worked the lands until 1970. Jaume Clarella is the name of the red wine of the private collection from our bodega.
Francina Pujolons was born in 1450 In Mas Pujolons, a house located in the pre-Pyrenees, in the municipality of Santa Maria de Besora. Castile and Catalonia were two separate kingdoms, predestined to a union full of treaties and wars. It was a diversified economy based on agriculture, cattle rearing and textile production.
Francina was a charming young woman. Her kind attitude and willingness to help others made her a much-loved person. She had a strong work ethic and deep love for her family and home. She knew every corner of the estate and her tenacity and determination were admirable.
One day, a strong and intelligent young man called Jaume Clarella arrived at Mas Pujolons and was hired as a labourer. Francina and Jaume worked together on the lands, spent much time together, and fell deeply in love with each other. Their relationship grew, based on trust, respect and complicity. Despite traditions, Francina’s parents blessed this relationship and transferred a part of the inheritance to the couple.
Jaume and Francina married on the 4th of May 1466. They had two sons and built a life together in the family home, which from that moment was called Mas Clarella. Francina Clarella is the name of the white wine of the private collection from our bodega.
Teresa Vila was born in 1665 in Sant Bartomeu de Llaés, to the north of the Besora valley, in full baroque era. Teresa’s family was one of the most important of Llaés. She grew up in a period of prosperity, in a political setting marked by the dynasty of the Bourbons. These times were also affected by the American colonial expansion, with the appearance of large fortunes and an increase in international trade and social changes. Despite this, it was also a period of political conflicts, such as the War of Succession, which had a major impact for many Catalans.
From an early age, Teresa demonstrated a strong personality and determined character, which were necessary for her to face the challenges of that period.
The families agreed to her marriage to Benet Clarella. She had a full and passionate life with her husband (heir of Mas Clarella), with whom she had a large family.
Her ten children loved her dearly and learnt much from her strength and determination. That period is one of the most outstanding in the history of the Clarella family. Among parents, children, grandchildren, grandparents… around thirty people from the same family were living together in the house.
Today, Mas Clarella belongs to the Call family from the United States: Brad Call and Teresa Jensen who, like a magical way of closing the circle, share the name with our star.
This is the name of the rosé wine of the private collection of Clarella: Teresa Clarella.
Albínia Clarella Archs was born on the 28th of February 1673 in Mas Clarella, daughter of Joan Clarella and Cicília Archs. She was an extraordinary young woman. She had skin as pale as the moon and an unusual and fascinating appearance. An enigmatic young woman with a profound way of looking.
Albínia, the youngest of six siblings, was born in a period of political and economic crisis on a global scale. She was born shortly after the Reapers War (1640-1652), in which Catalonia lost Roussillon, Conflent, Vallespir, Capcir and a part of Cerdanya, which passed into the hands of the French.
Important progress was made in the cultural and scientific spheres due to the new rational and individualist mentality, which questioned the old beliefs. The baroque period represents the artistic expression of this mistrust, through works that place in doubt reality or change it extravagantly.
Albínia grew up in a farming family in which livestock, wheat, wine and fruit and vegetables were the base of the economy, which gave her a deep connection with the land. She could often be found playing among the vines, where she seemed to be in perfect harmony with nature.
The people of the village saw her as a mysterious and enigmatic figure, and they felt attracted by her singularity and perspicacity. Albínia died young, leaving behind a legacy of curiosity. Her intense life left an impression on those who knew her.
Today, one of the most surprising wines we produce in the bodega of our property proudly bears her name: Albinia Clarella. Those who try it will feel the enigma of its aroma and taste.
A Mas de Vall de Besora Mountain Wine Cellar, Wine Tourism, Culture and History.