The Raventós family has been a pillar of the Penedès for generations and their wines have been a mainstay of our shop since we first opened. While they are globally renowned for producing some of Spain’s most iconic sparkling wines their story is one of constant evolution and a deep respect for the land. Drawing on a family history that spans back to the founding of the estate in 1497 Pepe Raventós eventually looked toward the future by returning to the most traditional methods. He began experimenting with natural wines in a serene and meticulously clean basement cellar where he vinified local grapes in clay amphoras without any additives. It was a bold departure from his formal training proving that authentic and stable wines could be made through pure viticulture and a commitment to the vine.
This personal project eventually grew into Vins Pepe Raventós which launched in 2014 with a focus on biodynamic principles where animals, humans and nature coexist in harmony. Pepe approaches agriculture with a poetic lens but the results are grounded in absolute precision. He farms a small selection of plots using one hundred percent animal traction with horses working the limestone rich soils. By focusing on indigenous varieties and refusing any oenological additives he creates wines that fairly express the intrinsic nature of his terroir. These are small production bottlings that were once a well kept secret but have now earned a global following for their energy and crystalline focus.
The 2023 Xarel lo Vinya del Noguer Alt comes from a two hectare parcel planted in 1970 located just above the family farm. Despite a challenging and dry vintage the old vines produced fruit of incredible concentration. Fermented in a mix of oak foudre amphora and neutral barrels this wine is round and enveloping while maintaining a distinct saline edge. It offers a wide range of aromatic nuances from Mediterranean herbs and aniseed to a clear iodine finish that speaks directly to the marine fossils embedded in the calcareous soils. It is a weightless yet structured white that stands as one of the finest examples of this variety we have ever encountered.
From a northeast facing plot of clay and limestone comes the 2023 Malvasia de Sitges Vinya la Plana. This variety was nearly lost to history but Pepe has championed its return because of its ability to retain freshness and aromatic complexity. The wine is aged for eight months on its lees in cement tanks which provides a beautiful volume and texture without the influence of wood. It is vibrant and savory with a focused acidity that cuts through the concentrated fruit of the warm 2023 season. This is a meticulous and hand crafted bottle that shows exactly why these indigenous grapes are the future of high quality Catalan winemaking.
Ok, fine. Since this is a Raventós offer we simply could not help ourselves and had to include a sparkling wine to round out the collection. Though it is not technically part of the zero additive Vins Pepe Raventós project and contains a tiny touch of sulfur the 2024 Can Sumoi Muntanya Sparkling was too impressive to leave out. Crafted at the high altitude estate six hundred meters above sea level in the Montmell massif this ancestral method blend of Macabeu and Xarel lo focuses on reclaiming the ancestral heritage of high elevation viticulture. Because of the elevation and the ancient Cretaceous soils the wine possesses a bracing mineral snap and a fine persistent bead that captures the adventurous spirit of the estate.
These wines represent a total commitment to the ecosystem of Penedès and a return to the wisdom of the past. Bottlings of this pedigree and technical precision typically command twice the price but our current discounts make this an unparalleled opportunity to stock up. These wines possess an incredible purity and structural longevity that make them essential for any collector who values the intersection of history and innovation. Quantities are limited so make sure you grab some today!
Can Sumoi Vino Espumoso Extra Brut Muntanya 2024 - $27.99
Viña Raventos Xarel-lo Vinya del Noguer 2023 - $36.99
Viña Raventos Malvasia de Sitges Vinya la Plana 2023 - $36.99
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