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Freixenet Winery Guide

Cellar Tours Insight — Since 2003, Cellar Tours has planned private wine journeys through the world’s leading wine regions, pairing tailor-made itineraries with VIP winery visits, fine dining, and expert regional guidance.

Winery Overview

Freixenet, a distinguished Cava producer nestled in the charming town of Sant Sadurní d’Anoia in Catalonia, Spain, has a rich and storied history that dates back to 1889. Its origins trace to Francesc Sala I Ferrés, the visionary founder who established Casa Sala, the first wine-exporting brand in the region. His son, Joan Sala I Tubella, took the reins and propelled the business into the realm of Cava production as the 20th century dawned.

In a union of heritage and passion, Pere Ferrer I Bosch, hailing from the esteemed Ferrer family that had possessed the renowned La Freixeneda estate in Alt Penedès since the 13th century, married Joan’s daughter, Dolors Sala I Vivé, in 1914. Pere assumed the helm, and under his inspired guidance, Freixenet experienced exponential growth. The winery’s splendid cellars were established in Sant Sadurní d’Anoia, nestled in the heart of the Penedès region, solidifying its deep connection to its viticultural roots.

Despite the adversities posed by the Spanish Civil War and the Second World War, Freixenet’s wines persevered and were even exported, with the United States importing them as early as 1935. In the 1940s, the company introduced its flagship wine, Carta Nevada, and later in 1974, unveiled the iconic Cordon Negro. These remarkable wines played a pivotal role in cementing Freixenet’s global reputation and positioning it as one of the foremost wine companies on the world stage.

Freixenet’s reach has since extended to California, Italy, Mexico, and Australia, yet it remains firmly committed to championing the excellence of its traditional method sparklers and showcasing the splendor of the Cava wine region to enthusiasts around the globe. Today, Freixenet stands tall as one of Catalonia’s grand Cava houses, evoking quality, scale, and significance comparisons to illustrious Champagne producers such as Moët & Chandon.

The recent Decanter World Wine Awards further solidified Freixenet’s remarkable stature, with the group proudly earning seven medals. This outstanding accomplishment is a testament to their unwavering commitment to excellence and the sheer brilliance of their effervescent creations, further enhancing their well-deserved acclaim in sparkling wines.

Private Wine Tours in Penedès

Private Wine Tours in Penedès

Discover Penedès with private Cava cellar visits, refined sparkling and still wine tastings, elegant regional dining, and expert-led touring near Barcelona.

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Further Reading

Author

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James Lawrence

With a passion for food & drink that verges on the obsessive, wine writer James Lawrence has traveled the world in search of the perfect tipple. To date, nothing has surpassed the 1952 R. Lopez de Heredia Vina Tondonia Rioja Reserva, tasted in the cobweb-filled cellars with owner María José. Meanwhile, James has been writing for a wide variety of publications for over 12 years, including Telegraph, Decanter, Harpers, The Drinks Business, and Wine Business International. He lives in South Wales and returns to his former university city, Bilbao, as much as possible.

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