As the name indicates, the area is in the mountains; it is of great natural beauty and features in many of Picasso’s paintings. Traditionally, due to its geographical isolation, this area only made wine for local consumption, and has only recently started to produce modern Mediterranean style wines. The mountains reach a height of 3,000 feet above sea level, though the vineyards are lower down on the slopes, valleys and plateaus. The climate is mixture of Mediterranean and continental; the summers are long, hot and dry and the winters are very cold. The average annual temperature is 62°F (max 95°F in summer, min 23°F in winter); there is a risk of late frosts in spring. Average annual rainfall is about 15 inches. A dry wind, known as “El Mestral” (from the valley of the River Ebro) is influential in keeping humidity low and thus protecting the vines from disease. The soils are clayey, with a good lime content, poor in organic material, with a significant proportion loose pebbles, which allows for good drainage.