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.
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.
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Petit VerdotAppointment onlyTorrelavit
Jean Leon visitor centre and Hollywood-era room museum at Chateau Leon, Torrelavit, with three-wine tastings of the first single-varietal Cabernet bottled in Spain.