BODEGAS SUMARROCA, Spain

Since 1980, Carlos Sumarroca and his wife Nuria have built Bodegas Sumarroca into one of the largest and most important entirely estate-grown organic Cava producers in the Penedès.

Carlos was originally an agronomist, selling fruit trees around the world, but a conversation with the Marques de Monistrol about the low prices being paid to growers and the lack of emphasis on quality led to a gentleman’s agreement to purchase the 500ha estate there and then. Carlos then embarked on a process of removing of non-indigenous varieties from the estate and vowed never to compete with the large volume wineries, but instead to focus on high-quality production and sustainable management. Today the estate is certified by the internationally recognised Biosphere Sustainable certificate supported by UNESCO and strives to work with as little impact on the local environment as possible in ways to support the local economy – measures that include the repopulation of native fauna, the installation of hives and protected areas for bats, and the gradual elimination of fossil fuels. If that wasn’t enough, Bodegas Sumarroca also make sublime Cavas that reflect their overriding passion for the land.

Viticulture

Sumarroca is one of the only family, state fruit & organic growers in the cava region. Producing only cavas that deserve the Reserva and Gran Reserva designations.

Winemaking

Traditional sparkling wine methods are used, utislising a gravity flow system to move the wine around the winery without the need for pumps.

Highlights
  • Sumarroca work sustainably in the fields, harvest at night and only use free run juice.
  • Environmentally friendly vine growing, with wooded areas being recovered on the estates to increase the biodiversity.
  • The winery is terraced on the hillside so that all movement of wine is by gravity.