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.
DO Penedes / DO CavaXarel-lo, Macabeo, Garnatxa Blanca, Chardonnay, Incrocio Manzoni, Garnatxa Tinta, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir90 haFounded 1979Esteva family (Jordi Esteve Roger; estate held since 1939, founder Carlos Esteva 1942-2023)CCPAEAvinyonet del Penedes
Esteva family acquired the estate in 1939; Carlos Esteva launched modern production in 1979 after viticulture studies on Mallorca and led the estate until his death in 2023. Jordi Esteve Roger continues the family project alongside the long-standing winemaking team. Member of Grandes Pagos de Espana. The cellars are partly carved into the limestone escarpment of the Massis del Garraf, with vineyards on fossil-rich Cretaceous limestone planted to both indigenous (Xarel-lo, Garnatxa) and rare grapes (Incrocio Manzoni for the El Rocallis cuvee).
Tasting: Underground cellar tour at the cave-style bodega carved into the limestone escarpment, plus a vineyard walk through the Massis del Garraf fossil-rich plots and a tasting of Gran Caus, Xarel-lo Pairal and Caus Lubis.
Signature wines: can-rafols-gran-caus-tinto, can-rafols-xarel-lo-pairal, can-rafols-caus-lubis-merlot, can-rafols-ad-fines, can-rafols-el-rocallis-incrocio-manzoni
Tip: Ask for the Xarel-lo Pairal vertical going back 8 vintages to see how the grape ages.
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.
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.
Corpinnat / DO PenedesXarel-lo, Macabeo, Garnatxa Blanca, Garnatxa Tinta, Sumoll, Cabernet Franc40 haFounded 2006Mas Candi partners (Toni Carbo, Ramon Jane, Mireia Torres-Maczassek, Marta Casas)CCPAEAvinyonet del Penedes
Founded in 2006 by a partnership of growers in Les Gunyoles d'Avinyonet at the gates of the Garraf Natural Park. 40 hectares of organically farmed vineyards (13 at Les Gunyoles, 27 in higher-altitude Guardiola de Font-Rubi, Pla del Penedes and Torrelavit). Annual production roughly 60,000 bottles. Corpinnat member since 2019.
Tasting: Small-group estate visit at Les Gunyoles d'Avinyonet plus a tasting flight of MC Brut Nature, Desig Xarel-lo and the experimental indigenous-grape range.
Signature wines: mas-candi-mc-brut-nature, mas-candi-desig-xarel-lo, mas-candi-quatre-xarel-los, mas-candi-sumoll, mas-candi-pecat-noble
Tip: Ask for the experimental Sumoll alongside the Quatre Xarel-los flight to see Penedes's heritage red revival.
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.
