DIALOGUES WITH MARIA VALLÈS

Meet Maria Vallès, a woman whose career and deep connection to her land and the family home of Mas Palou, which has been hers for generations, have led her to embark on a unique journey of cultural revitalization and preservation.

In this interview, Maria shares with us her experiences, memories, and projects that have marked her return to Mas Palou . From her childhood in this special place, shaped by the aromas and unique experiences that only this environment can offer, to her innovative approach to preserving traditions while fostering creativity and cultural exchange.

Maria, after years of international experience in various fields, what prompted you to return to Mas Palou and dedicate yourself to revitalizing the family farmhouse?

It wasn't a rational decision at all, just an intuition that I decided to follow and that surprised everyone, especially myself. I had been studying for about 8 years and then working on different continents and I think that my subconscious felt, on the one hand, satisfied for having seen a lot of the world and learned from so many projects, and ready to explore opportunities at home. It was very clear to me that I had a lot to do in Penedès. On the other hand, I had also realized that I am not made for corporate politics and much less for enjoying climbing the ranks in a multinational. I am rather introspective, I enjoy creative projects that I can manage from start to finish and with a clear impact, and I like working face to face with the client.

Growing up in such a special place like this, could you share any particular memories from your childhood that you think have shaped your connection to this place?

My most vivid memories are smells. When the good weather starts and the ginseng flowers bloom, I am once again a little girl who felt the excitement of the village festivities that were about to arrive at the beginning of June, and every time I smell the purple flowers of the wisteria we have by the pool, I am transported to afternoons spent at the pool with my cousins. The smell of almond blossoms at the end of January is my favourite , the smell of wet earth after the rain is my second favourite (I remember some mornings collecting snails before going to school) and, obviously, the smell of ripe grapes during the grape harvest has been with me all my life. And that's without going into the smells of my mother's kitchen, which would fill an entire book... I am a very detail-oriented and observant person, also somewhat obsessive, and one of the positive parts of having returned is my continued enjoyment of being a spectator of the seasons year after year in the same place.

At Naguisa, we believe in the importance of innovating while maintaining our roots and traditions. How have you achieved this balance at Mas Palou , especially with projects like the artist residency and the book club?

We're a very small business, literally a family, and our goal is simply to be able to maintain this farmhouse, the vineyards, and the Mediterranean lifestyle for many more generations to come. Times have changed, and there are fewer and fewer places like this because it's simply too expensive and difficult, and naturally, many decide or are forced to sell. We strive to maintain a balance between activities: we have vineyards and olive groves and produce wine and oil, we offer rentals for our farmhouses, we host breakfasts, a few weddings a year, some company retreats, and we combine this with artistic and cultural activities like our art residency and the book and wine club. We could hold events every weekend, but that would be unsustainable: we live here and want to enjoy life too. We could hold artist residencies every month for the love of art, but obviously we need to make money.

Mas Palou is not only a place of relaxation, but also a cultural and artistic gathering place. How do you think these spaces contribute to the local community and the preservation of rural culture?

Access to culture must be available everywhere, not just in Barcelona. At Mas Palou, we believe that art and culture are essential for humanity, and contemplation, and its misunderstood uselessness, is necessary now more than ever. It is a pleasure for us to be able to offer spaces that contribute to the creation, discussion, and exchange of ideas and opinions between locals and foreigners.

Your natural wine project, ' Vinyes de Palou ,' is an expression of your connection to the land. What inspired you to start this project, and how would you like to see it evolve in the future?

For now, Vinyes de Palou is an exploration of the family vineyards. After 40 years without winemaking, we felt the need to explore the grapes we grow year after year and sell to neighboring wineries. It was a natural step born from a love of the land and wine, which we hope will evolve into a deep understanding of our landscape and the traditional varieties of the Penedès region, so we can defend them and share them with all wine lovers. Wine is also culture.

Your appreciation for the land and the natural environment is evident. Outside of Mas Palou , do you have any special places in the world that similarly inspire you or where you find peace and renewal?

Outside of Mas Palou, I'm often drawn to cities, even more so than natural settings. I find peace and inspiration in metropolises like New York, Seoul, Tokyo, and Hong Kong. I've spent a lot of time in China and Asia in general, and it's a continent I can't help but return to whenever I can. It's a combination of the obsession with food and aesthetics I share with Asians, and the values ​​and cultural affinities I've always felt with the people of these countries.

As part of a book and wine club, we'd like to know what book has had a significant impact on your life or your way of thinking, and why?

L'avinentesa was born in the midst of the pandemic with my sister Anna, who leads it, when we realized that literature and wine were essential to getting through the months of confusion and confinement. In the past, books also served as a bridge between us and the first guests who visited the farmhouses, and we especially remember the first volumes of Harry Potter, which reached us through some English guests. Overall, we believe that Nuccio Ordine's "The Usefulness of the Useless" perfectly defines our perspective on culture and the way we want to experience it.

These are Maria's favorites. Do you like them?