Venus La Universal is the creation of young and super talented enologist Sara Perez, the driving force behind Mas Martinet in Priorat, and Dominio de Bibei in Galicia. Sara’s father Luis was -along with Rene Barbier- the driving force behind the emergence of Priorato twenty years ago… Venus debut vintage was a stunning 1999, quickly assuring the new Denominacion de Origen “Montsant” in 2001 with a serious place in the Spanish wine scene. Tiny quantities of two different wines come from a number of schist & granite composed parcels around the village of Falset at altitudes between 300-700 meters above sea level, and many times in steep terraces, all enjoying a warm, Mediterranean climate with dramatic day/night temperature changes. Today Sara has joined forces with her husband Rene Barbier Jr. making this an impossible to beat combination of talent, experience, and bringing their parents work full circle.

"Lovers of white Rioja, Jurancon Sec, and Bordeaux Blanc will swoon over this unique (and uniquely delicious) white Priorat. Sara Perez and Rene Barbier Jr are the team behind the delicious and popular Venus La Universal wines from the Montsant. Both are Priorat natives  and, as children of the great Jose Luis Perez of Mas Martinet and Rene Barbier of Clos Mogador, heirs to winemaking history. It was very exciting to taste a pair of Priorats from their "Sara i Rene" label that illuminate the influence of amphora aging on Garnatxa-based wines, a practice enjoying a resurgence in the region. Exotic, rich, and wild, the Partida Bellvisos Blanco is 90% Garnatxa Blanca and 10% Trepat Blanc (only 2 hectare of which are known to exist in Spain), fermented in locally-made, unlined amphora and raised partly in 15 year old 600L foudre before being moved back to amphora to complete its elevage. Full, sultry fragrances of elderflower, butterscotch, chlorine, jasmine and sweet golden fruit perfume the creamy, nutty, oxidative palate of orange, tamarind, almond oil, and tangy apricot peel; a voluptuous wine, perforated by tensile tannins."- Ariana Rolich