A New Sparkling Heart

Through the creation of Corpinnat, quality-minded producers in Spain have established a new sparkling wine identity.

WORDS L.M. Archer

In2017, six iconic Catalan Cava producers concerned with the standards of the category decided it was time to establish a new collective brand for quality Spanish sparkling wine. Called Corpinnat, or “heart of Penedès,” the goal of the new designation was to better define and distinguish the best bubbles made in the classic wine region, largely considered the cradle of Spain’s sparkling wine production.

Though some were unsure about the initiative at start, and what leaving the familiarity of the widely established Cava D.O. (Denominación de Origen) might impact, it’s clear that Corpinnat has made a strong mark. There are now 12 member wineries in the association, and in 2023, more than 2.282 million bottles of Corpinnat were sold in 66 countries worldwide.

Located approximately 25 miles west of Barcelona, the mountainous, mineral rich area of Penedès boasts a warm Mediterranean climate that’s tempered by cool winds. Corpinnat’s territory within the region encompasses 46 municipalities, with approximately 56,750 acres of vineyards.

Registered through the European Union, the collective brand is managed by L’Associació d’Elaboradors i Viticultors Corpinnat (The Association of Wine Producers and Growers Corpinnat, or AVEC) and is differentiated through meticulous, environmentally mindful, terroir-driven standards. Producers must exclusively use certified organic grapes that are hand-harvested and grown within the specified territory. Any purchased fruit stipulates a long-term contract with grower, in addition­ to a minimum guaranteed price.

The wines must comprise 90 percent indigenous varieties, including Macabeo, Malvasía, Parellada and Xarel-lo, among others,­ and a maximum of 10 percent other authorized varieties, including Malvasia de Sitges, Trepat, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

Additionally, vinification must occur on-premise at Corpinnat-exclusive wineries, meaning members may not also produce D.O. Cava selections. Bottles carry a certified organic seal and use natural cork closures, and must be aged in bottle a minimum of 18 months, oftentimes more. Producers must also annually certify for regulatory compliance through a third-party auditor.

Dive deeper into these exceptional bottles with more about the collective brand’s founding families: Gramona, Llopart, Nadal, Recaredo, Sabaté i Coca and Torelló.

Gramona

This historic estate features an award-winning winery that features bio­climatic architecture design. Today, it is helmed by fifth-generation wine­maker Jaume Gramona Martí (above), with assistance­ from his son Roc and nephew Leonard. Farmed bio­dynamically, the winery employs seasonally centered agricultural practices that incorporate native Catalan Albera cows to clear forests and provide manure, sheep to graze pollinator bee-attracting cover crops, horses to plow fields and falcons for bird control during harvest.

Nadal

Founded in 1510, Nadal suffered appropriation­ as an aerodrome during­ the Spanish Civil War (1936–39). Post-war, Ramón Nadal Giró reclaimed the family vineyard, moving away from wine-based spirits to sparkling wine production. Now, third-generation general director and enologist Xavier Nadal Penadés collaborates with his daughter Mireia Nadal Velencoso on groundbreaking wines like the Plot Twist lineup, which embodies classic styling alongside a hint of modernity and subtle presence of the Malvasia de Sitges grape variety.

Sabaté i Coca

Fourth-generation viticulturist and winemaker Marcel Sabaté i Coca, a pioneer in vins de terrer (wines of terroir), oversees the Bitlles Valley biodynamic estate, which contains 18 soil classifications and 66 microplots across nearly 100 acres. Wines that are blended and aged 18 months carry the Castellroig label, while Sabaté i Coca wines are sourced from unique high-quality parcels and aged 38 months. Both brands display a butterfly logo, symbolizing the family’s commitment to sustainability.