Author: Gisela

Alta Alella Mejor Iniciativa Joven Premios BBVA a los Mejores Productores Sostenibles

Alta Alella recognised Best Youth Initiative at the ‘BBVA Awards for the Best Sustainable Producers’

Written by Gisela on 2025/06/12. Posted in Awards, Winery.

2025.06.11

Alta Alella has been honored with the BBVA Award for Best Youth Initiative at the 6th edition of the BBVA Awards for the Best Sustainable Producers. The award recognizes the winery’s pioneering work in crafting natural wines without added sulphites, with the Bruant 2022 cava standing out as a flagship of this commitment.

Celler de les Aus, founded in 2012 by Mireia Pujol-Busquets, is the most radical expression of Alta Alella. Specializing in natural wines without added sulphites, this project was born with the aim of taking organic viticulture one step further. Bruant was the first cava in Spain produced without added sulfites using ancestral-style winemaking (first released in 2006). Twenty harvests later, it remains a pure expression of the terroir, the vintage, and a deep commitment to the nature.

“Celler de les Aus was born from a deeply personal drive: to prove that high-quality natural wines can be made, without make-up and with a clear identity,” explains Mireia Pujol-Busquets, Deputy Director and second generation at Alta Alella. “Awards like these, which give a voice to rural communities and recognize projects committed to their land, truly inspire us and give us strength to continue working with consistency and conviction.”

Besides being a benchmark in organic farming and sulphite-free winemaking, the jury also highlighted other initiatives that reinforce Alta Alella’s sustainable approach: participation in research projects to develop climate-resistant grape varieties, a circular economy policy through bottle reuse, a commitment to renewable energy, and responsible wine tourism connected to the territory.

For Alta Alella, this award is a great satisfaction and a motivation to continue shaping the future of the sector with a fresh, sustainable, and committed vision.

Organic wine no added sulphites Alta Alella and Celler de les Aus / vi ecològic i sense sulfits / Vino ecológico y sin sulfitos, DO Alella

Six Alta Alella and Celler de les Aus wines score over 90 points in Wine Enthusiast

Written by Gisela on 2025/06/01. Posted in Awards, Media.

2025.06.01

The prestigious American magazine Wine Enthusiast has recognized six wines from Alta Alella and Celler de les Aus in its June–July 2025 issue, awarding them scores above 90 points. An acknowledgment that reinforces our vision of winemaking: organic, honest wines with a genuine sense of place, shaped by Sauló soils, proximity to the sea, and minimal intervention in the cellar.

Alta Alella wines – organic

Alta Alella PB 2023– 91 points
Critic Elaine Chukan Brown describes this 100% Pansa Blanca as a wine that “delivers the freshness, subtlety and enticing potential of Xarel·lo with notes of crisp apple, celery leaf, and a lengthy, sea fresh finish”. A review that highlights the authenticity of Pansa Blanca, the historic and autochthonous variety of the DO Alella.

Alta Alella GX Rosé 2023 – 91 points
Our rosé, made from red and hairy Grenache, also stood out for its singularity. Brown calls it “sea fresh, mineral, mouthwatering while also swirling with flavor: melon and mango, white herbs and stone fruits refresh through a crisp finish.” A delicate and vibrant Mediterranean take on Garnacha.

Alta Alella GX 2023 – 90 points
Our red Grenache received 90 points for being “juicy, fresh and mouthwatering, this flavorful and friendly red delivers flavors of red plum, mixed berries, fennel, and a touch of sweet vanilla,” according to Brown.

Celler de les Aus wines – organic and no-added sulphites

Tallarol 2022 – 92 points
Tallarol is a 100% Pansa Blanca fermented and aged for 6 months in concrete eggs (Oeuf de Beaune). Brown describes it as “bright, palate cleansing and intriguing. This still Xarel·lo from Catalonia relies on a lighter touch to the winemaking. The result brings together crisp apple, pithy citrus, and a pleasantly bitter herb note that are refreshing with the lightest tannic edge and a long sea-fresh finish.”

Orange 2022 – 91 points
Made from Pansa Blanca and the rare Pansa Rosada, this wine is described as “mouthwatering and intriguing”. “Apricot and gold in the glass, aromatic and fulsome. This distinctive wine brings together aromatic verve and unctuous mouthfeel with lightly palate cleansing tannin plus flavors of sweet citrus and celery salt”, adds Brown.

Merla 2022 – 91 points
Finally, our radical red: “Mouthwatering, juicy, and refreshing, this flavorful red combines black fruits and integrated spices, with mouthwatering acidity for an approachable, delicious wine,” writes Brown about this 100% Mataró (mourvèdre).

These ratings reward our ongoing commitment to respectful winemaking, with the goal of capturing the essence of the landscape in every bottle.

Celler Alta Alella, visita i degustació de vi a Barcelona / Bodega Alta Alella, visita y degustación de vino en Barcelona / Alta Alella Winery, wine tour and tasting in Barcelona

8 key moments of the grape you’ll witness in the vineyard

Written by Gisela on 2025/05/15. Posted in Winery.

2025.05.15

Throughout the year, the vineyard undergoes a fascinating and cyclical transformation that completely changes both the landscape and the vine itself. Each season paints a different picture, but it’s between spring and the harvest, in late summer, when the vine most vividly reveals its evolution: it buds, blossoms, sets fruit, and nurtures each grape until it reaches perfect ripeness. This is also when we get to see the true star of winemaking up close — the grape.

If you visit us in spring or summer, you’ll witness some of the most magical moments in the vine’s life cycle in a privileged spot: among vineyards planted in Sauló soil and overlooking the sea. A wine tourism experience near Barcelona that connects nature, terroir, and wine culture.

Closed flowers
As spring arrives, the dormant winter buds awaken and begin to grow. The first leaves appear, and tiny flower clusters start to form — the early promise of what will become full grape bunches.
Flowering
With warmer weather, the buds open into delicate flowers. It’s a fragile moment: the vine needs calm, stable conditions to ensure successful pollination.
Fruit Set
Once the flowers are pollinated, they turn into tiny berries. This stage, known as fruit set, determines how many grapes each cluster will carry — and ultimately, the potential of the harvest.
Berries pea-size
The berries grow rapidly, reaching the size of a pea. At this point, they’re still firm and bright green. The vine channels its energy into helping the fruit develop properly.
Bunch Closure
The grapes continue to grow, and the bunches take on their familiar shape — still green and tightly packed. The vine is now balancing vigorous growth with fruit development.
Veraison
Around mid-summer, the grapes begin to change color — red varieties turn purple or blue, while white grapes shift to golden hues. This change, called veraison, marks the start of the ripening process.
Berry ripening
The grapes soften and develop their final balance of sugars, acidity, aromas, and flavors. When they reach the ideal moment, we begin harvesting — always by hand, and selecting the grapes.
Harvest
Harvest is the culmination of the year’s work. Once the grapes have reached their ideal ripeness according to the wine we aim to produce, they are hand-picked into small boxes, plot by plot, to preserve their quality and expression. Each harvest marks the start of a unique wine or cava — a true reflection of its origin and its year.

Come and experience this magical moment in the vineyard!
Book your visit and witness the grape’s transformation — a natural spectacle that only spring and summer can offer. We look forward to welcoming you to Alta Alella for an unforgettable experience.

Book your visit

DO Cava ecològic Alta Alella, Elaborador Integral, Paratge Qualificat a 3Cat

Alta Alella featured in 3Cat’s 30 minuts documentary “Cava, the Burst of Bubbles”

Written by Gisela on 2025/05/12. Posted in Media.

2025.05.12

The acclaimed Catalan TV program 30 minuts has aired a special documentary exploring the world of sparkling wines in Catalonia, where Alta Alella is featured as a key reference for the Serra de Mar subzone within the DO Cava.

As Integral Producer and an organic winery from the very beginning, at Alta Alella we are committed to crafting cavas that genuinely reflect the territory and its uniqueness — with the Sauló soil and proximity to the Mediterranean Sea playing a central role.

The documentary highlights our dedication to quality, sustainability, and extended aging, as producers of Cava de Paraje Calificado and Cava de Guarda Superior. Wines that express the complexity and elegance of each vintage, the character of the terroir, and the people behind the wine.

Josep Maria Pujol-Busquets, founder of Alta Alella, shares his thoughts in the interview: “Cava has started down a very important path of differentiation. And it will become clear that cava is truly a remarkable product that should allow for an increase in price. But what really matters is achieving a retail price for cava that allows everyone in the value chain to make a living. That means the grower makes a living, the producer makes a living, the distributor makes a living, the restaurateur makes a living. Right now, in the case of higher-volume products, that simply isn’t happening.”

Watch the documentary

Alta Alella PB, now sealed with a cork stopper!

Written by Gisela on 2025/03/18. Posted in Wines & Cavas.

2025.03.18

At Alta Alella, we have always been committed to balancing tradition, innovation, and sustainability, crafting organic wines that truly express the essence of our terroir. In line with this philosophy, we’ve made an important decision: from now on, our flagship range will gradually transition to cork stoppers (micro-agglomerated to ensure the complete absence of TCA) with a wax drop, replacing the screw caps we’ve used until now. This change will be implemented progressively to avoid wasting existing materials.

This decision is based on the following factors:

Sustainability: Cork is a 100% natural material. Its production helps preserve cork oak forests and supports biodiversity, reinforcing our commitment to sustainability.
Consumer experience: Pulling a cork from a bottle is a ritual deeply rooted in winemaking tradition, creating a special moment. We want our customers to enjoy this experience and the meaning behind it.
Wine evolution: A cork stopper allows controlled micro-oxygenation, leading to a more refined and harmonious aging process. We believe this enhances the overall experience and ensures our wines fully express their terroir.
Premium positioning: This change not only elevates the perception of our wines but also makes them more accessible to high-end restaurants and establishments, where cork closures are often associated with quality and authenticity.

We’re confident that this step brings us even closer to our core values and the quality that has always defined us.

Buy it now!

Mireia Pujol-Busquets, featured in the article ‘Daughters of the Wineries’

Written by Gisela on 2025/03/08. Posted in Media.

2025.03

The report “Les filles dels cellers” (Daughters of the Wineries) by Cuina magazine presents nine young women, all under 40, who have decided to continue the family legacy in the world of wine. Journalist Margalida Ripoll describes how these young entrepreneurs, with great enthusiasm and a strong sense of responsibility, have faced the challenges of working in their family wineries, despite the difficulties of keeping the business alive in a sector full of obstacles.

Mireia Pujol-Busquets, director of Alta Alella Winery, highlights in her interview with Ripoll the importance of maintaining the family legacy: “The effort my parents made has been titanic,” and reaffirms her conviction to move forward in defending what her parents started.

In addition to their passion for the land and wine, these women “are aware of the major challenges ahead, such as climate change and shifts in the Catalan wine market,” writes Ripoll. Nevertheless, the protagonists of the report face these challenges with determination and optimism, and “are perfectly prepared to lead this path,” she assures.

Read the magazine

Cavas ecológicos de larga crianza Alta Alella reconocidos por Vivir el Vino / Caves ecològics de llarga criança d’Alta Alella reconeguts per Vivir el Vino / Alta Alella long-aged organic cavas featured in Vivir el Vino

Alta Alella, a benchmark in long-aged sparkling wines

Written by Gisela on 2025/03/06. Posted in Media.

2025.03.06

Alta Alella’s long-aged organic cavas have taken center stage in the article “Aged Wines, the Legend of Time”, published by Vivir el Vino, one of Spain’s leading wine magazines. The feature, written by Vanesa Viñolo, highlights the ability of sparkling wines to evolve over time, gaining complexity, elegance and depth—and showcases two of our most iconic cavas as prime examples.

The two featured wines are true collector’s gems from the Pujol-Busquets family: Alta Alella Mirgin Exeo Evolució+ 2004 and Alta Alella 10 Gran Reserva 2012, both representing our commitment to extended aging and the pure expression of terroir. In the words of Mireia Pujol-Busquets, second generation of the family: “These cavas break the myth that sparkling wines should be consumed young, showing how they can develop complexity and elegance over the years.”

Alta Alella 10 Gran Reserva 2012 was named Best Sparkling Wine (Magnífico Espumoso) 2024 by the Vivir el Vino Guide, cementing its prestige within the Spanish wine scene.

Organic cavas with long aging and a unique character

With organic vineyards nestled in the heart of the Serralada de Marina Natural Park and the distinctive sauló soil—offering exceptional natural acidity—Alta Alella continues to prove that artisanal winemaking and environmental respect can produce cavas with remarkable aging potential and unmistakable personality.

Read full article

Honoring tradition by plowing with a horse

Written by Gisela on 2025/03/04. Posted in Sustainability, Winery.

2025.03.04

At Alta Alella, we are embracing tradition by plowing with a horse our Paraje Calificado Vallcirera vineyard. In an era where technology and mechanization dominate, we have chosen to look back and revive this time-honored practice as part of our commitment to sustainable viticulture.

For centuries, horse plowing has been used in vineyards to cultivate the land in a gentler, more balanced way. Unlike heavy machinery, horses minimize soil compaction, preserving its natural structure and fostering a healthier ecosystem for essential microorganisms. This approach also invites a different way of working—one that requires patience, presence, and a deeper connection to the vineyard.

By aerating the soil, improving water absorption, and naturally managing competing weeds, horse plowing reduces the need for heavy machinery and fossil fuels. The result is more vibrant, fertile soil that enhances the authentic expression of our grapes.

As with any meaningful change, this transition takes time. We have begun with Paraje Vallcirera, where the terrain and conditions make it ideal for reintroducing this technique. From this vineyard come our Paraje Calificado cavas: Alta Alella Exeo and Alta Alella Opus—wines that reflect the purity and character of their origin.

New vintage, new name: Puput Pét-Nat 2024

Written by Gisela on 2025/03/03. Posted in Wines & Cavas.

2024.03.03

Our ancestral sparkling wine is back with a fresh vintage, and a new name. What was known as Aus Pét-Nat is now Puput Pét-Nat. With this change, our natural sparkling wine aligns even more with the identity of Celler de les Aus (meaning Bird’s Cellar), where every wine is named after a bird.

The puput (Upupa epops), with its terracotta-coloured plumage, distinctive crest, and graceful, undulating flight, is one of the most iconic birds of the Mediterranean. A tireless traveler, it typically arrives in February and departs in autumn—though with climate change, more and more of them are staying year-round. A free-spirited, vibrant bird, just like our Pét-Nat, which captures the essence of the land and expresses it without filters.

A wine true to its nature

Puput Pét-Nat remains the same ancestral sparkling wine, made with organic grapes and no added sulfites. It ferments spontaneously and is bottled before fermentation is complete, following the Ancestral Method. This process gives it a fresh, rustic, and lively character, with crisp bubbles and aromas of flowers, white fruit, and green almonds. Plus, it’s released unfiltered, preserving all its authenticity.

The 2024 vintage

After years of extreme drought, 2024 was a much-needed breath of fresh air for the vineyards. Well-timed rains, a warm summer, and cooler temperatures toward the end of the cycle led to balanced ripening, exceptional grape quality, and vibrant acidity—ideal for our Pét-Nat.

Now you can enjoy the new Puput Pét-Nat 2024, our Pansa Blanca ancestral, with a name that soars higher than ever!

Buy it now!

Alta Alella 10 2012 included in the prestigious World’s Best Sommeliers’ Selection 2025

Written by Gisela on 2025/02/27. Posted in Awards.

2025.02.26

We are excited to share that Alta Alella 10 2012, the signature cava from the Pujol-Busquets family, has been included in the exclusive World’s Best Sommeliers’ Selection 2025. This prestigious international recognition highlights the most exceptional wines from around the world, chosen by some of the most influential sommeliers in the global culinary scene. As described by the organization, the list is more than just a selection of wines; it is “a carefully curated collection of wines that go beyond their exquisite flavours and aromas, delving into the rich narratives behind each bottle”.

Alta Alella 10 2012 is the only cava on the list, sitting alongside wines from world-renowned wineries like Ferrari Riserva Lunelli Trentodoc (Trentino-Alti Adige, Italy), el Jacquesson Cuvéé nº 747 (Champagne, France) o el Graham’s Vintage Port Library Release (Douro, Portugal).

The tasting panel is made up of 34 internationally renowned experts who work at some of the world’s finest restaurants, many of which are featured in The World’s 50 Best Restaurants. Among the panel members are Jhonel Faelnar, Committee President and Wine Director at Atomix (New York, 2 Michelin stars), Kistell Monot, Head Sommelier at Mugaritz (Gipuzkoa, 2 Michelin stars), Rodrigo Briseño, Head Sommelier at Disfrutar (Barcelona, 3 Michelin stars), André Bekker, Head Smmeliert at Frantzén (Stockholm, 3 Michelin stars), and many other respected professionals.

A decade of evolution

Alta Alella 10 2012 is a long-aged cava, with over 12 years of maturation, representing the epitome of patience and time in crafting high-quality sparkling wines. Organic, like all the wines and cavas from the winery, it’s made using the traditional method with a deep respect for the terroir. With the soul of a “Grand Vin,” this cava stands out for its structure, elegance, and complexity, qualities that have been praised by the sommeliers of the World’s Best Sommeliers’ Selection.

According to Josep Maria Pujol-Busquets, founder of Alta Alella, the cava’s unique character and ageing potential are the result of a combination of factors: the granitic Sauló soil, the mild Mediterranean climate near the vineyards (1,5km), and the intrinsic qualities of the grape variety.

A cava for fine gastronomy

Tasting notes describe Alta Alella 10 2012 as a vibrant, elegant cava with an expressive nose of citrus and yellow fruits, dried apricot, raisins, brioche and marzipan. On the palate, it is structured, generous, and tasty, with hints of nuts, toasted bread, and baking spices. Its fresh acidity and rounded creaminess create perfect balance, while a hint of saltiness at the finish makes it ideal to serve with food, according to the experts.

Sommeliers recommend it with dishes like “pan fried scallops, brown butter, cauliflower purée and toasted hazelnuts, or turbot with vin-Jaune sauce, or simply a selection of hard cheeses along with great homemade bread and salted butter”.

This recognition follows last year’s honor for Alta Alella Mirgin Exeo Evolució+ 2004, which was also selected for the 2024 World’s Best Sommeliers’ Selection, further reinforcing the excellence of Alta Alella long-aged cavas on the global stage.

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Author: Gisela

Organic cavas with long aging and a unique character

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