Albet I Noya Winery Guide

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Last updated: December 8, 2023

Winery Overview

Passionate, driven, and dangerously talented, Josep Albet I Noya embodies the extraordinary quality improvements that have recently transformed the Penedès wine region. Nestled a mere stone’s throw away from Barcelona, the birthplace of Cava, this region is increasingly gaining recognition as a hub of outstanding red and white wines, mainly owing to the dynamic and energetic efforts of families like the Albet I Noya clan.

The Albet family’s involvement in winemaking spans over a century, beginning when Josep’s ancestor, Joan, acquired the Can Vendrell estate in 1903. Recognizing the immense potential of the local terroir for crafting premium wines, Joan Albet undertook the task of replanting the vineyards devastated by the phylloxera epidemic in the 19th century. His dedication culminated in establishing the estate’s first winery in 1925, a historical site that still stands proudly.

Throughout successive generations, the Albet I Noya family has faithfully managed the property, with the current custodianship resting in the capable hands of brothers Josep and Antoni Albet y Noya. Their most noteworthy contribution is their conversion to organic grape cultivation, a groundbreaking initiative that took root in the 1970s when a Danish customer expressed a desire for organic wine—something unheard of in Penedès then. Undeterred by the skepticism of the wider community, Josep became Spain’s first producer to embrace organic viticulture, eventually earning certification in 1995. Today, he stands at the forefront of the organic winemaking movement in Spain, leading the way for his peers.

The Albet I Noya family continues to showcase the immense potential for crafting exceptional wines in Penedès. Despite often being overshadowed by the more renowned Rioja wine region, a visit to the Can Vendrell estate reveals the undeniable need for broader recognition in this corner of Spain. This revelation becomes even more apparent when savoring the remarkable Reserva Marti, a wine of formidable intensity boasting dark, spicy berry fruit flavors that leave an indelible impression. It is akin to experiencing St Emilion on an unparalleled level of richness and complexity.