Where to taste Merlot in Penedes: the estates that grow it, how the region expresses the grape, and how to book a visit.

Merlot estates in Penedes

Torello ★ 4.6

CorpinnatMacabeo, Xarel-lo, Parellada, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Syrah135 haFounded 1395Torello Llopart family (Torello Viticultors)CCPAESant Sadurni d'Anoia

Documented as winegrowers since 1395 at the Can Marti estate on the outskirts of Sant Sadurni; modern sparkling production from the early 20th century. 135-hectare estate planted to indigenous whites and a wide international red palette including Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah; organic farming since 2014. Founding Corpinnat member (2019). Vinyes de Can Marti was approved Cava de Paraje Calificado before the Corpinnat transition.

Tasting: Tour of the Can Marti estate (Can Marti de Dalt and Can Marti de Baix farmhouses), vineyard walk through the Vinyes Singulars Petit Albet plots, and tasting of Gran Torello, 225 and the Finca Can Marti Brut Corpinnat. Organic since 2014.

Signature wines: torello-gran-torello-brut-nature, torello-225, torello-finca-can-marti-brut, torello-tradicional-brut-nature, torello-pinot-noir-rosado

Tip: Ask the cellar to pour 225 alongside the Finca Can Marti single-vineyard cuvee for the clearest expression of terroir over blend.

Jean Leon ★ 4.7

DO PenedesCabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot150 haFounded 1963Familia Torres (since 1995)CCPAETorrelavit

Founded in 1963 by Jean Leon (Ceferino Carrion), Cantabrian-Hollywood restaurateur who served the first 1969 vintage of La Scala Cabernet at his namesake Los Angeles restaurant. The first single-variety Cabernet Sauvignon labelled and bottled in Spain. President Ronald Reagan served the 1975 vintage at his 1981 inauguration dinner. Family-owned by Torres since 1995; managed by Mireia Torres since 2010. Organic-certified estate.

Tasting: Self-guided estate walk through the 1963 Vinya La Scala plot, multimedia exhibit on Jean Leon's Hollywood-Penedes story, and a comparative tasting of La Scala Cabernet, Le Havre Cabernet Franc and Merlot Petit Chateau.

Signature wines: jean-leon-vinya-la-scala-cabernet, jean-leon-vinya-le-havre-cabernet-franc, jean-leon-vinya-gigi-chardonnay, jean-leon-3055-cabernet, jean-leon-petit-chateau

Tip: Walk the Vinya La Scala plot before the tasting; the 1963-planted vines are still in production.

Albet i Noya ★ 4.7

DO Penedes / Classic PenedesXarel-lo, Macabeo, Parellada, Tempranillo, Garnatxa, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah90 haFounded 1978Albet i Noya family (Josep Maria and Antoni Albet)CCPAESubirats

Founded in 1978 by Josep Maria Albet when a Danish importer requested organic wine; Albet i Noya sold the first bottle of 100 percent organic Spanish wine (Tempranillo) in 1979. CCPAE-certified in 1982. Long-standing Spanish organic-wine pioneer and reference. Pioneer of the Classic Penedes category (organic estate-grown traditional-method sparkling under DO Penedes). Vineyards on the Ordal mountains around Sant Pau d'Ordal.

Tasting: Multiple tour tiers including the Original 1978 historical visit, biodynamic vineyard walk, and a flight covering the Reserva 3 Xarel-lo, Col-leccio Single-Vineyard reds and Lignum still-wine range.

Signature wines: albet-i-noya-reserva-3-xarel-lo, albet-i-noya-lignum-blanc, albet-i-noya-pinot-noir-merce, albet-i-noya-blanc-de-blancs-classic-penedes, albet-i-noya-syrah-coleccio

Tip: Time the visit with the Vivencia organic-wine festival in late September if possible.

Pares Balta ★ 4.8

DO Penedes / DO CavaXarel-lo, Macabeo, Parellada, Chardonnay, Garnatxa, Carinyena, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Tempranillo, Syrah200 haFounded 1790Cusine family (Joan Cusine Carol; Joan and Josep Cusine sons)Demeter CertifiedCCPAEPacs del Penedes

Vineyards documented since 1790 at Masia Can Tutusaus. Modern winery developed by the Cusine family from the late 20th century. CCPAE-certified organic since 2002; Demeter-certified biodynamic since 2013 across all 200 hectares. Vineyards spread across five sites including the highest-altitude Foix Natural Park terraces (up to 750 metres). All wines are vegan; current winemaker Marta Casas was named Tim Atkin Best Winemaker of the Year 2024.

Tasting: Estate visit at Masia Can Tutusaus with vineyard walk through the Foix Natural Park terraces, biodynamic preparations demonstration and tasting of Indigena, Honeymoon Xarel-lo and Calcari single-vineyard wines.

Signature wines: pares-balta-indigena-tinto, pares-balta-calcari-xarel-lo, pares-balta-honeymoon-parellada, pares-balta-cava-brut, pares-balta-mas-elena-merlot, pares-balta-electio-xarel-lo

Tip: The Foix Natural Park terraces require the long-walk tier; the Calcari Xarel-lo is the best single grape expression.

Loxarel ★ 4.5

DO Penedes / Classic PenedesXarel-lo, Macabeo, Parellada, Pinot Noir, Garnatxa, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot50 haFounded 1985Mitjans family (Josep Mitjans and Teresa Nin)Demeter CertifiedCCPAESubirats

Founded in 1985 at Masia Can Mayol. CCPAE-certified organic since 2002; transitioned to Demeter-certified biodynamic from 2005. Member of Terra Dinamica (the only association of biodynamic farming in Catalonia, legalised since 2008). Since 2012 has used clay amphoras in winemaking; the A Pel natural-wine range (launched 2011) is made with no added sulphites.

Tasting: Visit covers amphora cellar tour, biodynamic vineyard walk and tasting of A Pel range, EOS and 109 amphora wines.

Signature wines: loxarel-a-pel-blanc, loxarel-a-pel-negre, loxarel-eos, loxarel-109-xarel-lo-amphora, loxarel-gaia

Tip: The 109-amphora Xarel-lo is the cellar's standout; book the Premium tour for the full library flight.

Mas Comtal ★ 4.5

DO PenedesXarel-lo, Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Garnatxa Blanca50 haFounded 1993Mila i Mallofre family (Albert and Joan Mila)CCPAEAvinyonet del Penedes

The estate has belonged to the Mila family since the 15th century, set around a 2nd-century Roman tower. Brothers Albert and Joan Mila i Mallofre launched modern quality winemaking in 1993. CCPAE-certified organic.

Tasting: Tour of the Mas Comtal masia (built around a 2nd-century Roman tower), cellar visit and tasting of Pomell de Blancs (Chardonnay-Xarel-lo) and Petit Mas Comtal red blend.

Signature wines: mas-comtal-pomell-de-blancs, mas-comtal-petit-mas-comtal, mas-comtal-antistiana-xarel-lo, mas-comtal-rosado-merlot

Tip: Pomell de Blancs is the everyday-drinking white; ask for Antistiana single-vineyard Xarel-lo for the serious bottle.

Huguet de Can Feixes ★ 4.6

Corpinnat / DO PenedesMacabeo, Parellada, Xarel-lo, Malvasia de Sitges, Chardonnay, Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Pinot Noir70 haFounded 1768Huguet familyCCPAEPenedes Superior

Estate founded in 1768 by Don Jaime Feixes, acquired by the Huguet family in the late 19th century. Located on the northern slopes between Alt Penedes and Anoia at Cabrera de Mediona, these are the farthest Penedes vineyards from the Mediterranean with extreme continental temperature variation. 70 hectares producing roughly 200,000 bottles per year. Corpinnat member since 2019; still wines under DO Penedes.

Tasting: Visit to the historic Can Feixes farmhouse covering the 13th-century chapel, the working cellar and a tasting of the Huguet de Can Feixes Corpinnat plus Selecio still wines.

Signature wines: huguet-de-can-feixes-brut-nature-corpinnat, huguet-de-can-feixes-reserva-7-anys, can-feixes-blanc-seleccio, can-feixes-negre-seleccio, huguet-malvasia

Tip: Ask for the Huguet Malvasia rose with sweet plums - it is the cellar's quietest surprise.

Naveran ★ 4.4

DO Penedes / DO CavaChardonnay, Pinot Noir, Xarel-lo, Macabeo, Parellada, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Viognier110 haFounded 1984Gilleron Parellada familyCCPAETorrelavit

Family-owned estate founded in 1984 by Michel Gilleron Parellada de Naveran at the Can Parellada farmhouse in Torrelavit. 110 hectares of terraces and woodlands in Alt Penedes producing 375,000 bottles of Cava and 250,000 bottles of still wine per year. Sustainable practices with no herbicides or pesticides; organic fertilisers only.

Tasting: Estate tour at the 110-hectare Sant Marti Sadevesa property includes vineyard walk, sustainable-viticulture demonstration and tastings of Manuela Chardonnay Crianza, Clos Antonia Viognier Crianza and Don Pablo Cabernet Reserve.

Signature wines: naveran-manuela-chardonnay, naveran-clos-antonia-viognier, naveran-don-pablo-cabernet, naveran-perles-blanques-brut, naveran-perles-roses

Tip: The Clos Antonia Viognier is unusual for Penedes; book the still-wine flight to include it.

Cusco Berga ★ 4.3

DO Cava / DO PenedesXarel-lo, Macabeo, Parellada, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot40 haFounded 1985Cusco family (Joan Cusco)CCPAEAvinyonet del Penedes

Cusco Esteve family has farmed in Les Gunyoles d'Avinyonet since the late 19th century. Modern winery established in 1985 by Josep Cusco Berga with sons; winemaker Joan Cusco trained in Priorat and Champagne. Cellar built on natural limestone rock at the gates of the Garraf Natural Park.

Tasting: Cellar visit at Les Gunyoles, vineyard walk with views of the Massis del Garraf and tasting of estate Cavas and monovarietal whites.

Signature wines: cusco-berga-brut-reserva, cusco-berga-extra-brut, cusco-berga-xarel-lo, cusco-berga-merlot-rosado

Tip: The viewpoint over the Garraf massif is the photogenic stop; the Brut Reserva is the entry-level standout.

Celler Parato ★ 4.3

DO Penedes / DO CavaMacabeo, Xarel-lo, Parellada, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Tempranillo94 haFounded 1975Elias family (Josep, Montse, Esther and Jordi Elias Terns, 4 siblings)CCPAEEl Pla del Penedes

The wine tradition at Parato dates to the 17th century; modern Parato Vinicola founded in 1975 by Josep Elias Andreu, current winery building from 1977. 94-hectare family estate in Alt Penedes producing both DO Penedes still wines and DO Cava. Four-sibling family operation.

Tasting: Visit at Can Respall de Renardes covering the 1977 cellar facilities, the 94-hectare estate vineyards and a tasting of Atica Brut Nature and Pinot Noir Cava cuvees.

Signature wines: parato-atica-brut-nature, parato-pinot-noir-brut-nature, parato-millesime-brut, parato-elias-classic

Tip: Pinot Noir Brut Nature is the cellar's defining bottle; ask for the magnum format.

Pinord ★ 4.4

DO Cava / DO PenedesXarel-lo, Macabeo, Parellada, Chardonnay, Garnatxa, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Tempranillo90 haFounded 1942Tetas family (3rd generation)Biodynamic PracticingCCPAEVilafranca del Penedes

Founded 1942 in Vilafranca del Penedes by Don Jose Maria Tetas. The original modernist buildings remain in operation in the historic centre next to the train station; a new estate cellar at Mas Muntanyans, 10 km west, opened in 2019 with biodynamic vineyards and experimental vessels (granite eggs, amphoras, ceramic barrels).

Tasting: Two cellars open to visitors: the original modernist 1942 winery in the historic centre of Vilafranca by the train station, plus the modern Mas Muntanyans estate 10 km away with biodynamic vineyards, granite eggs, amphoras and ceramic barrels.

Signature wines: pinord-clos-torribas, pinord-chateldon-cuvee-louis-philippe, pinord-mireia-xarel-lo, pinord-mas-muntanyans-pinot-noir

Tip: The Mas Muntanyans visit includes the amphora and granite-egg cellar room; book separately from the Vilafranca old-cellar tour.

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