Exploring Sabaté i Coca: A Pillar of Spanish Winemaking
Nestled in the picturesque hills of the Penedès region in Catalonia, Spain, the family-owned winery Sabaté i Coca has earned a stellar reputation for producing exceptional wines that capture the spirit and terroir of this unique area. Known primarily for their outstanding sparkling wines, particularly their cava and Corpinnat offerings, Sabaté i Coca is a name synonymous with quality, tradition, and innovation in winemaking.
Pavel, Kelly, and Marcel
Pavel and I were able to meet the winemaker, Marcel Sabaté and spend time learning (and tasting) his exceptional wines. Bottle Theory regulars will know the Castellroig Rosat Corpinnat, a staple on our by-the-glass menu since we first opened.
The Sabaté i Coca Family: A Legacy Rooted in Tradition
Sabaté i Coca is not just a winery but a family legacy. The business is helmed by the Sabaté family, with Marcel Sabaté representing the fourth generation of this winemaking lineage. With deep roots in the Penedès region, the family has a profound connection to the land. Their approach to viticulture emphasizes respect for the environment, sustainable farming practices, and a dedication to organic methods.
Exploring the family legacy
Their estate, the Finca Sabaté i Coca, is a 40-hectare vineyard situated in the Alt Penedès, an area renowned for its high-quality grape production, particularly for sparkling wines. Here, they cultivate native grape varieties such as Xarel·lo, Macabeo, and Parellada, which thrive in the Mediterranean climate and limestone-rich soils, imparting distinct characteristics to their wines.
Penedès: The Heart of Catalonia's Wine Country
Located just southwest of Barcelona, the Penedès region is one of Spain’s most important wine-producing areas, famed for its cava. The region boasts a rich winemaking history dating back to Roman times, and its varied microclimates and altitudes allow for the cultivation of a diverse range of grape varieties. Sabaté i Coca takes full advantage of the region’s natural diversity to craft wines with exceptional depth and complexity.
The Magic of Cava: Spain's Signature Sparkling Wine
Cava, Spain’s answer to Champagne, is a sparkling wine made using the traditional method, where secondary fermentation occurs in the bottle. The Penedès region is the heartland of cava production, and Sabaté i Coca is a master of this craft. Cava is made predominantly from indigenous grape varieties like Xarel·lo, Macabeo, and Parellada, which give the wine its crisp, fresh, and citrusy character.
Sabaté i Coca’s cava wines stand out for their elegance, balance, and aging potential. The winery’s meticulous approach to viticulture and winemaking ensures that each bottle of cava reflects the character of the vineyard from which it comes. Their attention to detail, from hand-harvesting grapes to controlling fermentation temperatures, results in cavas that offer both finesse and complexity.
Corpinnat: Redefining Sparkling Wine Excellence
In recent years, Sabaté i Coca has become a leading producer of Corpinnat, a prestigious brand of sparkling wine introduced in 2018. Corpinnat was created by a group of winemakers who wanted to set higher standards for quality and production methods beyond the requirements for cava. The word Corpinnat comes from the Catalan phrase meaning “born in the heart of the Penedès,” emphasizing the region’s historical importance in sparkling wine production.
To be labeled as Corpinnat, wines must meet strict criteria, including organic grape cultivation, hand-harvesting, and a minimum aging period of 18 months. Sabaté i Coca’s commitment to these rigorous standards ensures their sparkling wines are crafted with the utmost care and respect for tradition, and many of their Corpinnat wines exceed the minimum aging requirement, resulting in complex and highly expressive cuvées.
Sabaté i Coca’s Signature Wines
Sabaté i Coca offers a range of wines that showcase the diversity and potential of the Penedès terroir. Their cava and Corpinnat wines, in particular, are celebrated for their complexity, elegance, and balance. The winery’s flagship bubbly, Castellroig Brut Nature Reserva, is a standout example, offering fresh acidity, fine bubbles, and notes of citrus and stone fruit. Their Corpinnat wines, such as Reserva Familiar, provide a more luxurious experience, with rich aromas of brioche, toast, and almond, and a creamy texture on the palate.
A Future Rooted in Sustainability and Innovation
While Sabaté i Coca honors its long family tradition, the winery is also forward-thinking in its approach. Marcel Sabaté has been instrumental in driving the company towards organic farming and sustainable practices. The estate is certified organic, and the winery has adopted techniques aimed at reducing its carbon footprint, including water conservation and renewable energy usage.
Sabaté i Coca’s commitment to innovation can also be seen in their efforts to elevate the perception of Spanish sparkling wine on the global stage. By embracing the Corpinnat label and continuing to experiment with new winemaking techniques, Sabaté i Coca is helping to lead a renaissance in Spain’s sparkling wine industry.
Sabaté i Coca is a testament to the excellence that can be achieved through a combination of tradition, innovation, and respect for nature. Their wines capture the essence of the Penedès terroir, with each bottle telling the story of a family deeply connected to their land. Whether it’s their cava or Corpinnat wines, Sabaté i Coca delivers a unique and unforgettable experience for wine lovers around the world.
Pick up a few bottles of this go-to sparkling wine!
For those seeking to explore the world of Spanish sparkling wine, Sabaté i Coca offers a journey through time, tradition, and taste—all from the heart of Catalonia’s stunning wine country. Pick up a few bottles or enjoy a glass at Bottle Theory and support two family-owned businesses while you do!
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About Bottle Theory
Bottle Theory is a bottle shop and taproom in Apex, NC, selling fine wine and craft beer. The bar also serves wine by the glass, a rotating selection of draft beer and cider, coffee, and tea. Locally owned and operated by Pavel and Kelly Chtcheprov, Bottle Theory is pet-friendly and family-friendly, and hosts food trucks, trivia, and seasonal events. Whether you’re catching up with neighbors over a juicy IPA or picking up a bottle of wine for your dinner party, we strive to provide something special. Located on the Apex-Cary border in the Green Level Market, Bottle Theory has both indoor and outdoor seating and is steps away from the Greenway.