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Freixenet Winery Guide
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Last updated: November 22, 2023
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.
Wines produced
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Carta Nevada
Dry, 33% Macabeo, 33% Xarel.lo, 33% Parellada, The "dosage" is made with wine from the same blend, aged for 12 months in oak. -
Cordon Negro
Dry, 40% Parellada, 35% Macabeo, 25% Xarel.lo, Quintessential cava, light and extremely fresh. -
Excelencia Brut Reserva
Vintage Dry cava, 33% Macabeo, 33% Xarel.lo, 33% Parellada. -
Excelencia Semiseco
Off dry, 33% Macabeo, 33% Xarel.lo, 33% Parellada. -
Freixenet Brut Nature
Dry, 40% Macabeo, 30% Xarel.lo, 30% Parellada, Alc. 11.5%, Reserve Cava only produced in best years. -
Brut Barroco
Dry, 40% Parellada ,30% Macabeo, 30% Xarel.lo, Reserve Cava produced in exquisite bottle. -
Brut Rosé
Dry, 70% Trepat, 30% Garnacha. -
Freixenet Cuveé S.S.
40% Macabeo, 40% Xarel.lo, 20% Parellada; The liqueur d'expédition is made with wines aged in oaked Freixenet. -
Freixenet Reserva Real
Vintage cava, 80% Macabeo, Parellada and Xarel.lo (in equal parts), 20% Reserve Wines Gran Carta Freixenet Malvasia Vintage: Sweet vintage cava made with classic Catalan grape, malvasia, delicious sparkling dessert wine. -
Reserva Siglo XXI De Freixenet
A dry, vintage cava made with wines coming from the Freixenet vineyards in the famed Mediona (Alt Penedès) region, which is said to have the best climatic conditions for growing the Parellada and Macabeo varieties. 60% Parellada, 40% Macabeo. -
Cuveé Casa Batllo
Cuvée named after Catalan architect Gaudi's famous masterpiece in Barcelona. Dry and excellent quality, 40% Macabeo, 40% Xarel.lo, 20% Parellada. -
Trepat
Dry, rosado, 100% Trepat- a black variety, from the Pira region (Tarragona), Vintage cava.
Winery Contact Details
Freixenet
Joan Sala, 2, 08770 Sant Sadurni D'AnoiaBarcelona
Spain
Email: [email protected]
Tel +34 938 917 000
Fax +34 938 183 095 Find out more
Facts & Figures
Appellation
Cava
Founded
1889
Area under Vine
350 hectares
Age of vines
1-30 years
Oak barrel origin
American
Winemaker
Josep Bujon
Owner
Ferrer Sala Family
Production
Grape varietals
Macabeo, Xarel.lo, Parellada, Trepat, Monastrell
Grape Varieties Used by the Winery
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Macabeo (Viura)
Discover Viura: Rioja's Prominent White Grape & Catalonia's Macabeo. Explore its versatility in exquisite wines. A must-read for wine enthusiasts.
Find out more -
Parellada
Unveil the allure of Parellada grape: a Spanish gem crafting elegant sparkling & white wines. Explore its unique qualities & flavor profile.
Find out more -
Xarel-lo
Unveiling Xarel-lo: A Key Grape in Catalonia's Cava Sparkling Wine. Discover the Intriguing Role of Xarel-lo in Spain's Sparkling Delight.
Find out more -
Monastrell
Unveiling Spain's Hidden Gold: Monastrell Wine - Explore the Richness and Allure of this Exceptional Varietal
Find out more -
Trepat
Trepat is a red grape variety native to northeastern Spain, specifically the Catalonia region. It produces light-to-medium-bodied wines with low tannins and high acidity, making them particularly well-suited to sparkling wine production. Trepat is gaining popularity among wine enthusiasts for its unique flavor profile and versatility in winemaking.
Winery Appellations
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