DO Cava / DO PenedesXarel-lo, Macabeo, Parellada, Muscat, Pinot Noir40 haFounded 1979Esteve family (Joan Esteve Nadal)CCPAEAvinyonet del Penedes
First Avinyo-labelled Cava produced 1979 in small quantities. Cellars in the 16th-century Can Fontanals farmhouse, with vines on four parcels totalling about 40 hectares.
Tasting: Visit to the old Can Fontanals farmhouse, cellar tour and tasting of La Ticota Gran Reserva, Petillant and the Avinyo Cava Brut.
Signature wines: La Ticota Gran Reserva, Avinyo Cava Brut, Avinyo Petillant, Avinyo Rose Reserva Cava
Tip: Petillant is the off-piste discovery, an ancestral-method Muscat that drinks like a cleaner Moscato d'Asti.
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.
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.
CorpinnatMacabeo, Xarel-lo, Sumoll, Pinot Noir42 haFounded 2013Agusti Torello Sibill and familyCCPAEAvinyonet del Penedes
Founded in 2013 by Agusti Torello Sibill and his family at the historic Monastery of Sant Sebastia dels Gorgs site. Dry-farmed organic viticulture, regenerative practices and hand harvest from the outset.
Tasting: Tour of the modern Sant Sebastia dels Gorgs winery (inaugurated March 2023), the dry-farmed vineyards and a flight of AT Roca Reserva and Rosat Reserva Brut Nature Corpinnat.
Signature wines: Reserva Brut Nature, Rosat Reserva Brut Nature, Floral Brut Nature, At Roca Fenicis
Tip: The Sant Sebastia dels Gorgs monastery is right beside the cellar; combine the tour with the historic walk.
CorpinnatXarel-lo, Macabeo, Parellada7 haFounded 2003Bernet family (Xavi and Cristina Bernet)CCPAESubirats
Founded in 2003 by Xavi and Cristina Bernet at the family's traditional Alt Penedes farm at El Pago, Subirats. Recovered Xavi's grandfather's vineyards. 7 hectares CCPAE-certified organic since 2008; winery organic-certified since 2015. Joined Corpinnat in 2019 after leaving DO Cava. Named for the founders' first daughter.
Tasting: Small-group visit through the El Pago vineyards in upper Subirats, with a focus on Vinyer de Muntanya old-vine plots and a tasting of Cuvee U Brut Nature.
Signature wines: Cuvee U Brut Nature, Vinyer de Muntanya Brut Nature, Julia Bernet Pizpireta
Tip: Cuvee U is the only cuvee at scale; ask for the magnum format.
CorpinnatXarel-lo, Macabeo, Parellada12 haFounded 2009Eduard ViaderCCPAESant Sadurni d'Anoia
Founded in 2009 by Eduard Viader, an agronomist who began producing sparkling wines aged 21. In 2016 acquired the 14th-century Can Rossell de la Llena farmhouse in Gelida with an attached 19th-century cellar.
Tasting: Small group visit at the 14th-century Can Rossell de la Llena farmhouse plus tasting of Viader Brut Nature and the long-lees releases. Reservation only.
Signature wines: Viader Brut Nature, Viader Extra Brut, Viader Rosat
Tip: Booking is by direct email only; the 14th-century cellar is the visual highlight.
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: Atica Brut Nature, Parato Pinot Noir Brut Nature, Parato Millesime Brut, Elias Classic Penedes Blanc
Tip: Pinot Noir Brut Nature is the cellar's defining bottle; ask for the magnum format.
