Region: Penedès (Montmell), Catalonia, Spain
Grapes: Parellada, Macabeu, Xarel·lo
Body: Light to Medium
Notes: Green apple, white peach, lemon blossom, fresh pastry, crushed limestone, and wild Mediterranean mountain herbs, with crisp persistent bubbles, high driving acidity, and a bone-dry, saline mineral finish
Pairing: Continuous charcuterie boards, fresh oysters, grilled prawns, fried calamari, margherita pizza, or manchego cheese
The Producer
Can Sumoi is a high-altitude natural wine estate located 600 meters above sea level in the Serra del Montmell mountains of Penedès. Founded by Pepe Raventós and Francesc Escala (of the famed Raventós i Blanc family), the estate centers on protecting ancient Mediterranean mountain vineyards and biodiversity. Farmed biodynamically and organically, the 17th-century estate operates with zero chemical inputs. In the cellar, winemaking is strictly hands-off: native yeasts, no added oak, no fining, no filtration, and minimal to zero added sulfur, capturing the raw, electric limestone character of the Catalan mountains.
The Wine
"Muntanya" (Catalan for mountain) is Can Sumoi’s bone-dry, high-altitude sparkling expression, crafted from indigenous white varieties grown in chalky limestone soils. The hand-harvested grapes undergo spontaneous fermentation with wild ambient yeasts, undergoing secondary fermentation to create fine, persistent, natural effervescence. Aged on its lees with no dosage added (Extra Brut), the 2024 vintage explodes with mountain-fresh citrus and green fruit, vibrant saline minerality, and a bone-dry, crystalline structure that reflects its high-altitude origin.
Region: Penedès (Montmell), Catalonia, Spain
Grapes: Parellada, Macabeu, Xarel·lo
Body: Light to Medium
Notes: Green apple, white peach, lemon blossom, fresh pastry, crushed limestone, and wild Mediterranean mountain herbs, with crisp persistent bubbles, high driving acidity, and a bone-dry, saline mineral finish
Pairing: Continuous charcuterie boards, fresh oysters, grilled prawns, fried calamari, margherita pizza, or manchego cheese
The Producer
Can Sumoi is a high-altitude natural wine estate located 600 meters above sea level in the Serra del Montmell mountains of Penedès. Founded by Pepe Raventós and Francesc Escala (of the famed Raventós i Blanc family), the estate centers on protecting ancient Mediterranean mountain vineyards and biodiversity. Farmed biodynamically and organically, the 17th-century estate operates with zero chemical inputs. In the cellar, winemaking is strictly hands-off: native yeasts, no added oak, no fining, no filtration, and minimal to zero added sulfur, capturing the raw, electric limestone character of the Catalan mountains.
The Wine
"Muntanya" (Catalan for mountain) is Can Sumoi’s bone-dry, high-altitude sparkling expression, crafted from indigenous white varieties grown in chalky limestone soils. The hand-harvested grapes undergo spontaneous fermentation with wild ambient yeasts, undergoing secondary fermentation to create fine, persistent, natural effervescence. Aged on its lees with no dosage added (Extra Brut), the 2024 vintage explodes with mountain-fresh citrus and green fruit, vibrant saline minerality, and a bone-dry, crystalline structure that reflects its high-altitude origin.
What is natural wine?
Natural wine is wine made with minimal intervention from the winemaker, using organically or biodynamically grown grapes and without the addition of chemicals or additives such as sulfites. The result is a wine that is unique, expressive, and often has a more complex and nuanced flavor profile than conventional wines. Natural wine is also often associated with sustainable and ethical farming practices, making it a popular choice for those interested in environmentally friendly and socially responsible products.