Profile of Gramona
A living legend among Cava growers, Gramona has long boasted a reputation as Spain’s finest sparkling wine producer. It is not undeserved – from their base in Sant Sadurni D’Anoia, Gramona craft an astonishing range of long-aged Cavas celebrated for their rich, autolytic, and complex house style.
This venerable firm’s history is just as impressive as the wines – Gramona traces its origins back to the 19th century when the son of the current owners’ great-great-grandfather sold wine to French sparkling producers, whose vineyards had been ravished by the phylloxera louse. Pau Batlle capitalized on the situation by purchasing a cellar of his own in 1881, enabling him to buy the family’s first vineyards. His daughter’s marriage to Bartolome Gramona cemented the wineries’ future in the early 20th century, uniting two families under the banner of producing quality sparkling wines.
However, ironically, the terrible conflict of the Second World War really set Gramona on the path toward greatness. In the 1940s French winemakers visited Gramona, keen to replenish their cellars plundered by the German forces. They were only interested in older Cavas, which encouraged brothers Bartomeu and Josep Lluis to start aging their wines for much longer than normal practice. Their inaugural experiment with long-aging, Ill Lustros, was created in 1951 – first released in 1959 – and remains one of the house’s most consistent and remarkable Cavas.
Today Gramona is run by the dynamic brother duo Xavier and Jaume Gramona, who continue to innovate, experiment, and drive improvements both in the cellar and vineyards. In the latter, we find the most exciting developments, as the legendary consultant Claude Bourguignon has been hired to drive conversion to organic and biodynamic viticulture in the vineyards. Indeed, respect for their diverse terroir is at the forefront of everything decision Jaume and Xavier make, two passionate ambassadors for the Penedes wine region’s potential.
But in the meantime, wine lovers must try Gramona’s Cellar Batlle, which is surely Spain’s greatest sparkling wine. Rich, structured, complex, and silky smooth, it silences the naysayers who claim that Cava never rises above the ordinary. For this is an extraordinary wine, from an extraordinary family, and more than a match for any Champagne!
Wines produced
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Gramona Gran Reserva Cuvee de Postre
33% Xarel-lo, 33% Macabeo, 33% Parellada. After the initial fermentation, secondary fermentation takes place in the bottle. The Cava is then aged on its lees for 30 months before disgorgement. A sweet style Cava, perfect for pairing with dessert dishes.
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Gramona Gran Reserva Brut Nature
70% Xarel-lo, 30% Macabeo. After the initial fermentation, secondary fermentation takes place in the bottle. The Cava is then aged on its lees for 36 months before disgorgement. No sugar is added to the Cava post-disgorgement.
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Gramona Brut Gran Reserva Rose
100% Pinot Noir. After the initial fermentation involving a gentle maceration of the Pinot Noir, secondary fermentation takes place in the bottle. The Cava is then aged on its lees for 30 months before disgorgement.
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Gramona Imperial Gran Reserva
50% Xarel-lo, 40% Macabeo, 10% Chardonnay. After the initial fermentation, secondary fermentation takes place in the bottle. The Cava is then aged on its lees for 60 months before disgorgement.
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Gramona Argent Rose 2011 Gran Reserva
100% Pinot Noir. After the initial fermentation involving a gentle maceration of the Pinot Noir, secondary fermentation takes place in the bottle. The Cava is then aged on its lees for 36 months before disgorgement.
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Gramona Argent Brut Gran Reserva
100% Chardonnay. After the initial fermentation, secondary fermentation takes place in the bottle. The Cava is then aged on its lees for 48 months before disgorgement.
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Gramona Ill Lustros Brut Nature Gran Reserva
75% Xarel-lo, 25% Macabeo. After the initial fermentation, secondary fermentation takes place in the bottle. The Cava is then aged on its lees for 96 months before disgorgement. No sugar is added to the Cava post-disgorgement
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Gramona Celler Batlle
75% Xarel-lo, 25% Macabeo. After the initial fermentation, secondary fermentation takes place in the bottle. The Cava is then aged on its lees for 120 months before disgorgement. The prestige Cava of the property, Celler Batlle can be aged for several years following its release.
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Gramona Enoteca Brut Nature
75% Xarel-lo, 25% Macabeo. After the initial fermentation, secondary fermentation takes place in the bottle. The Cava is then aged on its lees for 120 months before disgorgement. The bottle is then aged for several years in the Gramona cellars before release. No sugar is added post-disgorgement.
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Gramona Enoteca Brut
75% Xarel-lo, 25% Macabeo. After the initial fermentation, secondary fermentation takes place in the bottle. The Cava is then aged on its lees for 120 months before disgorgement. The bottle is then aged for several years in the Gramona cellars before release.
Winery details
Industria, 36
Sant Sadurni d'Anoia Barcelona 08770
Spain
Tel +(34) 93 891 0113
Fax +(34) 93 818 3284
- Appellation
- DO Cava
- Founded
- 1881
- Area under vine
- 100 Hectares (owned)
- Age of vines
- 30 years+ Low yields
- Winemaker
- Jaume Gramona
- Owner
- Gramona family
- Production
- 1.000.000 bottles per annum, depending on the vintage
- Grape varietals
- Macabeo, Xarel-Lo, Parellada, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir
