Item Number: 2810 UPC: 0810411010419

Country: Spain
Region: Catalunya Sub Region: Penedés
Appellation/AVA: Cava DO
Grape(s): 20% Xarel-lo / 40% Macabeu / 40% Parellada
Type: Wine - Sparkling
Bottle Size: 750ml Pack: 12
Closure: Cork
Case Production: 10,000 Cases made - 6,000 for the US.
Alc by Vol(%): 11.5
Viticulture: Practicing Organic
Age of Vines: 30 years average.
Aging: 12 months in the lies

Proprietor: Celler Vilafranca is owned by 100 associated vine growers, owning 2,053 acres of vineyards, which is equivalent to 3% of the vineyard land of Penedés.

Location: Winery is located in Zone 5 (northeast of Spain ), few miles south of Barcelona in the High Penedés sub-region, 577 feet over the Mediterranean sea. The vineyards and winery are located in the small town "pueblo" of Vilafranca.

Climate: High Mediterranean (Zone 5). Hot days and moderate nights. The vineyards of Celler Vilafranca at 577 ft altitude, have average temperatures from April to October of 66.6 º F; (higher than the standard in Zone 5, which is 63º F) and 14.5 in. of rainfall (lower than Zone's 5 standard average, which is 19.2 in.) The higher the temperature, the higher the sugar content and the lower the acidity. However due to the higher levels of rainfall in this climatic zone, we have well balanced levels of acidity, improving the freshness and aromatics of the wines made by Celler Vilafranca. In summary the rainfall acts as a balancing agent for its high temperatures. Temperatures in Penedés are higher than Priorat, and Montsant; and lower than Costa Brava-Empordá and Terra Alta.

Soils: The root systems penetrate through deep soils in search of water in times of drought. The topsoil is composed of limestone and sand giving good water drainage into the deeper subsoil layers where water retaining clay nourishes the vine as needed. These soils are 85% poor in organic matter, giving smaller yields per vine, resulting in a greater skin to juice ratio per berry thus more intensity and concentration of flavors.

What makes Casteller wines unique? Casteller owns 3% of the vineyards in the Penedés region, which translates into superior quality grapes at lower prices. Casteller wines are superb values. Casteller wine quality is consistent every vintage; owning so many acres of vineyards allows them to have a greater range of choice for good grapes.