From native Catalan varieties to biodynamic vineyards, discover the makers of the Oniric wines and their beyond-organic approach.
At Forest Wines, we believe that knowing who makes your wine, and understanding their stories and how they care for their land, is just as important as knowing how it tastes. That’s why we were really excited to share with you our conversation with Maria from Entre Vinyes, a Catalonia-based natural winery, behind one of our customers’ favourite wine range: Oniric.
From transforming an old chicken farm into a thriving biodynamic vineyard to preserving endangered grape varieties, Maria and her partner Pep are part of a quiet revolution in European winemaking rooted in biodiversity, respect, and patience.
The beginnings
“We started the project in 2010,” Maria told us, “but more seriously in 2012, making wines in another location while we got our own winery ready.” The vineyard, located on Pep’s family land, had been used for generations but was dormant when they took it on. “The winery itself? It used to be a chicken farm,” Maria laughs. “We transformed it completely.”
The land’s past holds a lot of meaning when it comes to sustainable production: a site of industrial agriculture reimagined into a biodiverse ecosystem. Since 2017, Entre Vinyes has made all its wine on-site, continuing a family tradition while completely rethinking its ecological footprint.
Beyond organic: A philosophy of living systems
Entre Vinyes is certified organic but as Maria makes clear, their commitment goes far beyond the label.
“For us, working organically isn’t just about what not to use. It’s about care. Respecting the soil, the vines, the whole ecosystem,” she explains. “We see our vineyards as autonomous ecosystems. They’re alive with animals, flowers, insects, and microorganisms. Life belongs here.”
Their regenerative practices resonate with both permaculture and biodynamic principles: farming philosophies that treat the vineyard as a living, self-sustaining organism. This means they avoid chemical inputs, use green cover crops year-round, support healthy soil fungi and microorganisms, and allow biodiversity to naturally regulate pests and disease.
When Maria showed me the vineyard, I was surprised by how different it looked from the neatly ordered vine rows you often see. Instead of cleared paths, wild plants and weeds weave through the vines, giving the whole place a sense of authenticity and natural growth, like it’s always belonged to the land.
“The objective isn’t just to avoid pesticides,” Maria says. “It’s to create a healthy, energetic environment. The vines are more resilient, and the wines express that.”
Native grapes: A resilience rooted in the past
One of the most inspiring parts of our conversation was Maria’s passion for native Catalan grape varieties, especially those nearly lost to modern agriculture.
“We totally trust in these varieties,” she says. “They’re full of character, they’ve adapted over centuries, and they carry a story.”
One standout example is Xarel·lo Vermell, a pink-skinned local grape with beautiful acidity and resilience to disease. “It gives a salmon colour, and people used to rip it out because it didn’t fit conventional production,” she says. “But we embrace that uniqueness. It’s a singularity. It’s who we are.”
Maria makes a strong case for native grapes not just as heritage but as climate solutions. Unlike more traditional French varieties like Chardonnay or Viognier, which have struggled in recent years due to drought and heat, Mediterranean varieties like Xarel·lo, Malvasia, and Garnacha have held up. “They’re more resistant, and they hold acidity even in hot years,” she explains. “That crispness, that freshness, we don’t lose it.”
She describes these grapes as “a rainbow” of flavours and functions, each one suited to a different role. “It’s important to keep diversity alive, in grapes, in nature, in people,” Maria adds. “That’s how we thrive.”
Her favourite winemaking moment: Fermentation
When asked what part of winemaking she loves most, Maria doesn’t hesitate: fermentation.
“It’s the most intense moment,” she says. “You’ve harvested. You’ve done your work in the vineyard. The grapes are safe. You’re no longer worried about the weather, or diseases, or timing. Now you trust.”
Entre Vinyes uses only indigenous yeasts, those naturally present on the grape skins. This makes the process unpredictable, but meaningful. “You have to trust that the transformation will happen,” she says. “You’ve carried these grapes through the year, and now you let go. You believe in the energy of the vineyard.”
Fermentation is brief, just 10 days, but unforgettable. “The smells, the sensations, they only happen then,” Maria explains. “You won’t feel that again until next year. That’s what makes it so powerful. You’re 100% there, physically and emotionally. It’s a very human process, and very humbling.”
Pairing Maria & Pep’s Oniric wines
Natural wines, with their brightness, texture, and modest alcohol levels, are really versatile on the table. “They pair beautifully with curry, Asian food, vegetables, even paella,” Maria says. “They’re bright, and that energy works with so many types of cuisine.”
But you don’t always need a full meal. Wines like Entre Vinyes’ Pet-Nat are a perfect aperitif on their own, with just some olives, crisps, or a good cheese. “Depending on the varieties, wine pairing doesn’t have to always be this big gastronomic experience, but can just be enjoyed simply.”
Drinking with conscience
For Maria, winemaking isn’t just about taste, it’s about values. “To produce and drink natural wine is a political decision,” she says. “It’s not just aesthetics. It’s ethics.”
Choosing to farm without chemicals, to preserve native grapes, to trust the natural fermentation process, it all reflects a broader philosophy about how we treat nature, and each other.
“We need to show people that these wines carry meaning,” she says. “Not just in flavour, but in the way they’re made. There is value in that.”
Want to try Entre Vinyes?
We’re proud to stock a selection of Maria and Pep’s expressive natural wines, ranging from refreshing Pet-Nats to skin-contact whites with character. Come by the shop or check out our online selection to grab a bottle and taste the story for yourself.
