Spain · Penedès

Celler Kripta S.A.U.

Penedès sparkling wines from Macabeu, Xarel·lo, Parellada and Trepat, including long aged Kripta.

The producer

Celler Kripta works in Sant Sadurní d’Anoia in Penedès with Macabeu, Xarel·lo, Parellada and Trepat. The winery farms organically, harvests by hand and makes traditional method sparkling wines with its own yeasts. The range includes Franc, Trepat, Barrica and Kripta. Barrica takes Macabeu into French oak before its second fermentation in bottle, while Kripta combines old vine Macabeu, Parellada and Xarel·lo with extended lees ageing.

Known for

Long aged Penedès sparkling wine

Notable facts

The story

An Amphora For Kripta

In 1978, Agustí Torelló Mata produced the first bottle of Kripta. He presented the wine in an amphora shaped bottle and aged it for five years, an unusually long period for the market at the time. The bottle became part of the wine's design from its first production, joining a distinctive container to extended ageing. Kripta began with that amphora shaped presentation and the five year cellar period.

An Amphora For Kripta

In 1978, Agustí Torelló Mata produced the first bottle of Kripta. He presented the wine in an amphora shaped bottle and aged it for five years, an unusually long period for the market at the time. The bottle became part of the wine's design from its first production, joining a distinctive container to extended ageing. Kripta began with that amphora shaped presentation and the five year cellar period.

From the atlas

Celler Kripta S.A.U.

Celler Kripta in Sant Sadurní d’Anoia, Penedès, makes traditional method sparkling wines from local grapes with long bottle ageing.

At A Glance

FieldDetail
RegionPenedès, south of Barcelona
VillageSant Sadurní d’Anoia
Main grapesMacabeu, Xarel·lo, Parellada and Trepat
Signature wineKripta
Defining featureOrganic viticulture, hand harvest and long bottle ageing

The Producer

Celler Kripta works with the classic Penedès grapes, white Macabeu, Xarel·lo and Parellada, alongside red Trepat. Its sparkling wines use the traditional method, with the second fermentation taking place in bottle, and the winery uses its own yeasts selected for the wines.

The range includes Brut Nature and Brut wines, with Macabeu given particular attention as a variety suited to extended ageing. Organic viticulture and hand harvesting keep the work close to the grapes before the bottles spend time on their lees.

Place

Penedès lies south of Barcelona in a Mediterranean climate, with Montserrat sheltering the vineyards from wind and severe frosts. Celler Kripta works across the region's coastal zone, central plain and pre coastal hills, so the local grapes come from several distinct landscapes.

Macabeu is associated with the coastal area, Xarel·lo with the central plain, and Parellada with the higher hills. The resulting range keeps the three white grapes visible as separate parts of Penedès sparkling wine.

Soil And Site

The vineyards rise from the coastal zone and central plain into pre coastal hills reaching 540 metres. Altitude commonly slows ripening and helps retain acidity, while the lower areas provide warmer conditions for fuller fruit development.

Montserrat's shelter reduces exposure to strong wind and severe frost. The vineyards therefore combine Mediterranean warmth with a protected growing environment across several elevations.

Story

Agustí Torelló Mata built the family business through work in wine and technical development. The second generation, Gemma and Àlex Torelló, have managed the winery since 2012. Marc Torelló joined in vine growing and winemaking, while Sofia Torelló took responsibility for exports and public relations in 2022.

The family continued to change in 2026, when Lali Torelló rejoined Celler Kripta as chief executive. The winery opened a new site on the outskirts of Sant Sadurní d’Anoia in 1986, creating the base from which the family developed its range of wines.

Vineyards And Cellar

Celler Kripta farms 100 hectares across 150 plots, including 40 hectares it owns, together with vine growers committed to its farming standards. The vineyards are farmed organically, and every grape is harvested by hand to limit oxidation and preserve its sensory qualities before arrival at the winery.

Xarel·lo has loose bunches and thick skins. In Kripta, the variety contributes alcoholic power and body alongside Macabeu and Parellada. The sparkling wines use the traditional method and the winery's own yeasts, while Macabeu is treated as a variety capable of long ageing.

Wines

The sparkling collection includes Kripta, Cuvée 1935, CS, Singular, Barrica, Icònic, Ubac, Franc, Trepat and Bayanus. The Brut Nature wines are made without added dosage, while the Brut bottlings retain a small amount of sweetness after disgorgement.

Barrica is a single varietal Macabeu whose base wine ferments and ages in French oak for six months before its second fermentation in bottle. Trepat is a varietal sparkling rosé made after eight hours of skin maceration and 24 months on lees. Franc brings green apple, peach and nectarine with richness from extended lees ageing. Icònic combines depth and richness with freshness.

In The Glass

Kripta has fine, persistent bubbles and aromas of cream, ripe fruit, vanilla, toast and a slight balsamic note. Its palate is silky, carrying vanilla, ripe fruit, toast and truffle into a very long, complex finish. The Xarel·lo component adds body and alcoholic warmth beneath the fruit.

Trepat shows strawberry, ripe plum and raspberry aromas. Its acidity and bubbles are integrated, while the mouthfeel is creamy and bright. The rosé keeps the red grape's fruit character visible without losing the freshness of sparkling wine.

A Bottle To Understand It

Kripta is the bottle to open first. It is a Brut Nature sparkling wine made from Macabeu, Parellada and Xarel·lo from old vines, with each bottle hand riddled and disgorged.

The 2017 release spent 96 months on lees. Lees ageing keeps the wine in contact with spent yeast, which can add creaminess and savoury depth. Kripta puts the three principal white grapes into one long aged cuvée, with the bottle itself carrying the full traditional method process.

Anecdote

On July 30, 2025, Celler Kripta became Corpinnat's sixteenth member after passing all mandatory audits. Corpinnat is a collective brand built around organic viticulture, estate owned vineyards and sparkling wine production. The admission placed Celler Kripta inside that production model after the winery completed the required checks. The announcement recorded the winery as the newest member of the collective, bringing its Penedès vineyards and traditional method wines into the group.

Final Word

Celler Kripta turns Macabeu, Xarel·lo, Parellada and Trepat into Penedès sparkling wines through organic farming, hand harvest, traditional method production and extended bottle ageing. Kripta remains the house's long aged cuvée.

Sources

1. https://www.cellerkripta.com/en/history 2. https://www.cellerkripta.com/en/vine-growing 3. https://www.corpinnat.com/en/news/news/604-corpinnat-welcomes-celler-kripta-and-reaches-16-member-wineries 4. https://spanishwinelover.com/winerie/celler-kripta 5. https://www.cellerkripta.com/en/kripta 6. https://www.cellerkripta.com/en/our-cavas 7. https://www.fieldblendselections.com/celler-kripta

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