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Gramona 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

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 crafts 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 owner’s 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 his own cellar 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 set Gramona on the path toward greatness. In the 1940s, French winemakers visited Gramona, keen to replenish their cellars plundered by the German forces. But, unfortunately, they were only interested in older Cavas, which encouraged brothers Bartomeu and Josep Lluis to start aging their wines for much longer than standard 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 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 every decision Jaume and Xavier make, two passionate ambassadors for the Penedes wine region’s potential.

Gramona is a founding member of Corpinnat along with Nadal, Llopart, Recaredo, Sabaté i Coca, and Torelló, an exclusive collective of wineries dedicated to producing exceptional sparkling wines. Their rich heritage, unwavering commitment to quality, and traditional winemaking practices align perfectly with Corpinnat’s ethos. Alongside other esteemed wineries, Gramona contributes to the collective pursuit of excellence, innovation, and showcasing the unique terroir of the Penedès region.

But in the meantime, wine lovers must try Gramona’s Cellar Batlle, which is undoubtedly Spain’s most outstanding sparkling wine. Rich, structured, complex, and silky smooth, it silences the naysayers who claim that Cava never rises above the ordinary. This is an extraordinary wine from a great family and more than a match for any Champagne!

Penedes Wine Tour

Penedes Food and Wine Tour

Discover the best of Spanish sparkling wines and Cava on a Penedes Wine Tour. Sip and savor amidst stunning vineyards. Book now!

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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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