Empordà producer focused on Grenache and Carignan, with 5 Finques, Finca Malaveïna and Aires de Garbet in the range.
The producer
Celler Perelada is based in northeastern Catalonia, where the Pyrenees meet the Mediterranean. Its range includes Empordà table wines and Cava, including 5 Finques, Finca La Garriga, Finca Malaveïna, Aires de Garbet and varietal Només wines. Indigenous Grenache and Carignan are central to the estate planting. RCR Architects designed the new winery, which became the first winery in Europe to achieve LEED Gold sustainability certification.
Known for
Empordà Grenache and Carignan wines
Notable facts
The estate is run by the family’s third generation under Javier Suqué Mateu.
The five vineyard sites are Finca Garbet, Finca Espolla, Finca Malaveïna, Pont de Molins and Finca La Garriga.
Delfí Sanahuja is Perelada’s winemaker.
RCR Architects designed the winery that became the first in Europe to achieve LEED Gold sustainability certification.
The story
Miguel Mateu Buys the Castle
In 1923, Miguel Mateu bought the castle ensemble at Castillo Perelada. One of his primary objectives was to revive its wine producing tradition. Carmelite monks had occupied the castle and made wine there. Several documents and parchments from that earlier period are found in the library. Wine had been made at Castillo Perelada for centuries before Mateu’s purchase. Today, the estate is run by the family’s third generation under Javier Suqué Mateu. The third generation is committed to ongoing development and innovation.
Miguel Mateu Buys the Castle
In 1923, Miguel Mateu bought the castle ensemble at Castillo Perelada. One of his primary objectives was to revive its wine producing tradition. Carmelite monks had occupied the castle and made wine there. Several documents and parchments from that earlier period are found in the library. Wine had been made at Castillo Perelada for centuries before Mateu’s purchase. Today, the estate is run by the family’s third generation under Javier Suqué Mateu. The third generation is committed to ongoing development and innovation.
From the atlas
Celler Perelada
Celler Perelada is based in northeastern Catalonia, where the Pyrenees meet the Mediterranean. Its wines include Empordà table wines and Cava, with indigenous Grenache and Carignan at their centre.
At A Glance
Field
Detail
Region
Northeastern Catalonia, where the Pyrenees meet the Mediterranean
Main grapes
Indigenous Grenache and Carignan, alongside other authorized varieties
Wine range
Empordà table wines and Cava, with 5 Finques, named estate wines, varietal Només wines and Aires de Garbet
Vineyard sites
Finca Garbet, Finca Espolla, Finca Malaveïna, Pont de Molins and Finca La Garriga
The Producer
Carmelite monks occupied Castillo Perelada and made wine there from the 14th century. Miguel Mateu bought the castle ensemble in 1923, with the revival of its wine-producing tradition as one of his primary objectives.
RCR Architects designed Celler Perelada’s new winery, which became the first winery in Europe to achieve LEED Gold sustainability certification. The estate is now run by the family’s third generation under Javier Suqué Mateu, with Delfí Sanahuja as winemaker. Sanahuja was named Catalan winemaker of the year in 2015. Celler Perelada produces table wines and Cava.
Place
Perelada’s vineyard holdings are in northeastern Catalonia, at the meeting of the Pyrenees and the Mediterranean. The ground varies among slate, sand, river sediment, clay loam and gravel. Soil differences affect drainage and water retention, so vines on separate parcels can face different growing conditions. Finca Garbet is a terraced vineyard on slate soil beside the Mediterranean. Its mountainous terrain requires terrace planting.
Wines
Perelada produces Empordà table wines and Cava. The table wine range includes 5 Finques, an Empordà red made from seven grape varieties and led by Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot; named estate wines such as Finca La Garriga and Finca Malaveïna; varietal Només wines; and Aires de Garbet, a single estate wine from Garbet made entirely from Grenache.
5 Finques combines Grenache at 26 percent, Cabernet Sauvignon at 24 percent, Merlot at 21 percent, Syrah at 16 percent, Samsó at 9 percent, Monastrell at 3 percent and Cabernet Franc at 1 percent. It ages for 18 months in Bordeaux barrels, split equally between fine American oak and Allier French oak, before bottling. Red fruit, spice, balsamic notes and toast lead into a fresh, balanced palate with integrated tannins and a long finish.
Finca Malaveïna comes from 19 hectares of red clay slopes. Merlot accounts for 63 percent, followed by Cabernet Sauvignon at 17 percent, Cabernet Franc at 14 percent and Grenache at 6 percent. It ages for 22 months in new Bordeaux barrels made from Allier French oak, then in bottle. Its palate is round and fleshy, with very fresh acidity, rounded tannins and a creamy sensation.
Aires de Garbet is a single estate wine from Garbet made from 100 percent Grenache. It ages for 15 months in second-use French oak barrels of Tronçais oak, 300 litres each, then continues ageing in bottle. Aromatic herbs, red fruit and balsamic notes lead to a fresh, intense palate with mature, enveloping tannins and a silky texture.
Final Word
Individual parcels can be harvested and made separately before blending. The winery contains concrete eggs, stainless steel tanks and oak barrels. Wines can age partly in the eggs and partly in smaller barrels. Its two-level hillside layout uses gravity to reduce the need for mechanical energy. Rainwater collection and storage reduce reliance on potable water by over 75 percent.