Casa Ravella "La Casa Llarga"

Penedès, Spain | 2024

Casa Ravella is an important name to know in the world of Spanish sparkling wine.

The historic property dates back to 1567, has always been owned by the same family, and is now run by María de Camps Chalbaud and her husband, Gonzalo. They own 200 hectares of vineyards surrounding their masia in the Muntanyes d’Ordal region. While the vineyards are now among the highest in the area, sitting between 310 and 425 meters above sea level, during the Tertiary period they were actually beneath the sea. Coral reef sediments from the Miocene period can still be found in the vineyards, although the soils are best described as clay loam over a limestone foundation.

Long before organic farming became fashionable, the family was already committed to ecological agriculture. Encouraging biodiversity in the vineyards remains an important part of their dedication to sustainability and quality.

Some of the most important Cava producers have taken notice of the estate’s farming, and the vast majority of its fruit is sold to prestigious names such as Recaredo and Ramona. Casa Ravella itself produces only a small amount of wine, which helps explain why the wines have such a limited presence in export markets.

“La Casa Llarga” is Casa Ravella’s still white wine from Xarel·lo, the great native white grape of the Penedès and one of the foundations of the region’s best sparkling wines. In this part of Catalunya, Xarel·lo is often valued for its structure, acidity and ability to transmit soil, and when handled thoughtfully as a still wine, it can be every bit as compelling as many better-known Mediterranean whites.

The fruit comes from the family’s high-elevation vineyards in the Muntanyes d’Ordal, where the combination of limestone-rich soils, cooler nights and old marine sediments gives the wine a distinct mineral backbone. This is not meant to be a flashy or overly aromatic white, but rather a textured, savory and quietly complex expression of Xarel·lo, built around citrus, orchard fruit, almond, fennel and a subtle saline note. A great wine to pair with grilled shellfish or even roasted chicken.