History:

The DENOMINACIÓ D’ORIGEN PENEDES was officially established by an order of the Ministry of Agriculture on 23rd November 1933. This was due largely to the republican movement that had established the Wine Statute in 1932 and the Wine Law in 1933. Work began on drawing up regulations in consultation with local councils, growers and cellars, to reach agreement on the designated area and the names and characteristics that Penedès wines must fulfill. 

After the forced parenthesis of the Spanish Civil War 1936-1939 and further delays in the post-war period, the Regulating Council was established in 1958. A year later on the 28th July 1959, the Council approved the first regulations of the DO, which were ratified by the Ministry of Agriculture. The headquarters was established at the Station of Viticulture and Enology in Vilafranca del Penedès and its Director was the president until 1982. According to the Council’s records, the first actions were to register all the wine producing cellars, particularly those exporting wine. There was also a keen interest in producing promotional materials and in particular to attend international fairs. In 1972 a new statute for Vineyards, Wine and Alcohols was approved, enabling the Council to draw up new regulations that were published in 1976. 

The transfer of powers in matters of Denominations of Origin to the Generalitat de Catalunya in 1980, led to the democratic election of members and the president of the Regulating Council for the first time. With Spain joining the European Community in 1986, the regulations became subject to the OCM and once again needed to be updated. The Council adopted computer infrastructure that enabled the use of magnetic cards to control in detail the records of vineyards and cellars, declarations and above all an exhaustive control of wine production and quality. In 2006 a new set of regulations was approved to include new grape varieties and separate the functions of management and quality control.

Description:

The Penedès, a spirit of innovation without forgetting our roots.

The DO Penedès, with 2.500 hectares under vine, is the Catalan Denomination with the longest winemaking tradition. The area covers a large strip of land between the Mediterranean and the inland hills, halfway between Barcelona and Tarragona. Soil and climate variations differentiate 10 areas with distinct characteristics within the denomination, which extends from the sea to vineyards at over 800 metres above sea level.

The emblematic variety of the region is Xarel·lo for white wines, whilst the quality of the reds represent the undiscovered jewel of the region and make up 35% of Penedès production.

Wine was brought to the Penedès by the Phoenicians, the first civilisation to recognise the potential of the region. Two millenia later, these lands continue to be a sought after stamp of quality when choosing a wine.

The terroirs of the DO Penedès make up a set of privileged landscapes to cultivate vineyards with unique attributes. Its history is the story of the land, life and agriculture. A story hidden underground, that thanks to the Font de la Canya archeological dig at Avinyonet del Penedès is bringing to light the importance of wine in these lands since time immemorial. The excavations uncovered a bust of the goddess Demeter with a headdress adorned with details of ears of corn and grapes dating from the 3rd century BC. 

Carbonised and mineralised grape seeds from the 7th century BC were found at the same site, underlining that the presence of vineyards in the Penedès is no coincidence, a testament to the long history behind its wines.  

History is not the only factor that makes these lands special: the winemaking philosophy behind the wines give a special touch to the DO Penedès making them worthy of a seal of excellence.

The quality that surrounds the DO Penedès brand is not only a consequence of its tradition and antiquity, but also of its ability to innovate and stay current. With 2,700 years of history behind you it is easy to get lost in the past and fall into an anachronistic void. Finding the perfect balance between innovation and respect for one’s heritage is a complicated task. The DO Penedès has been able to unite past and present while maintaining intact its traditions, enabling it to bear a seal of heritage, tradition and prestige with a recognition that breaks boundaries.

In white wines, the flagship variety is Xarel·lo, offering both fresh, silky, fruity and vibrant young wines as well as more full-bodied wines made and/or aged in barrel, that are well-structured, warm, long and mineral.

The Rosés are fragrant, with an intense and persistent aroma, adapted to the times. The reds have body and structure due to the silky tannins provided by optimal ripening conditions.

Clàssic Penedès organic sparkling wines are balanced and structured, the reflection of the grape varieties, the second fermentation in the bottle with a minimum of 15 months ageing and the soils of the Penedès.

NUMBER OF WINERIES: 150

SURFACE AREA (acres): 2.500

PRODUCTION VOLUME: 18 M

MAIN VARIETY (TOP3): Xarel·lo, Macabeu, Ull de Llebre

TERRITORY (TYPE OF SOIL, LANDSCAPE):

The calcareous and clayey soil of the Penedès gives the vineyards unique attributes that, combined with the temperate Mediterranean climate, make it an ideal environment for winemaking. Thanks to the differences in altitude in the territory, this DO highlights the character of its wines, which speak of the land where they were born.

In general, the climate is typically Mediterranean, mild and warm. In the Penedès closest to the sea, the climate is milder. In the inland Penedès, over 500 meters above sea level, rainfall is more frequent and the contrast between maximum and minimum temperatures intensifies. In the central area, there is a combination of the two microclimates.