Skip to main content

Author: Gisela

Wine Enthusiast gives Alta Alella wines high marks

2024.07.23

Two wines from the Alta Alella winery have been highlighted with outstanding ratings in the August-October edition of the renowned Wine Enthusiast magazine. These are the cava Alta Alella Laietà Gran Reserva (94 points and editors’ choice mention) and the white wine Alta Alella Cau d’en Genís (93 points and ‘Hidden Gem’ mention). 

Alta Alella Laietà Gran Reserva: “This ballet slipper pink sparkler offers a nose of apricot, jasmine and rising bread dough. Vibrant flavors of Granny Smith apple and carambola mingle with notes of Turkish delight, white chocolate and a touch of slivered almond. Notes of lemon zest and almond blossom linger on the palate.” — Mike DeSimone

Alta Alella Cau d’en Genís: “Made with 100% Xarel-lo, this wine offers a nose of Bartlett pear and lemon blossom. Lemon permeates the palate alongside a lavish mouthfeel, lively acidity and flavors of Golden Delicious apple, honeysuckle and hints of white pepper and dried sage that linger into the finish.” — Mike DeSimone

Continue reading

High ratings for Alta Alella wines and cavas in the Peñín Guide 2025

2024.07.22

Alta Alella consolidates its position amongst the best sparkling wines in the country with 4 cavas on the podium and several wines improving their ratings.

Up to 15 references of the winery have obtained +90 points and will be featured at the Salón Peñín in Madrid on November 18th and 19th, 2024.

These excellent results encourage us to continue to work hard and to head into the next vintage with even greater enthusiasm.

We are proud to announce that Alta Alella has once again been recognized in the prestigious Peñín Guide 2025. We particularly highlight four of our cavas, which have shined on the podium: Alta Alella 10 2012 (97 points), Alta Alella Mirgin Exeo Evolució+ 2004 (96 points), Alta Alella Mirgin Exeo Paraje Calificado Vallcirera 2017 (96 points) and Alta Alella Mirgin Opus Paraje Calificado Vallcirera 2019 (95 points). Outstanding results that have been increasing in each edition since the last few years, consolidating Alta Alella’s position as a benchmark for the best sparkling wines.

In addition, another 11 references of the winery have been rated with 90 points or more. A significant achievement that encourages us to continue working with dedication and passion in the production of high quality and honest wines, committed to the territory. Wines and cavas that not only delight the palate, but also reflect the terroir of the Alella area, where the sandy granitic soil of Sauló, the Mediterranean Sea and the Serralada de Marina Natural Park are the main characters.

The other wines highlighted in the guide are:

  • Alta Alella Laietà 2019 = 94 points
  • Alta Alella Laietà Rosé 2019 = 92 points
  • Alta Alella Mirgin 2020 = 92 points
  • Alta Alella Mirgin Rosé 2020 = 90 points
  • Alta Alella Dolç de Neu 2023 = 94 points
  • Alta Alella Lanius 2021 = 92 points
  • Alta Alella Cau d’en Genís 2022 = 92 points
  • Alta Alella d’en Genís Cau 2021 = 92 points
  • Alta Alella Dolç Mataró 2021 = 91 points
  • Alta Alella GX 2023 = 90 points

All of them will be available for tasting at the Salón Peñín de los Mejores Vinos de España to be held on November 18th and 19th, where only wines rated with +90 points by the guide will be presented.

The Peñín Guide, a reference for amateurs and professionals, has evaluated 9,800 wines in its 2025 edition, and will be available in bookstores from October.

Continue reading

Alta Alella’s cava, amongst the 50 best wines in the world at Decanter

2024.06.22

 Alta Alella Mirgin Exeo Evolució+ 2004 is crowned as ‘Best in Show’ at the prestigious Decanter World Wine Awards

Alta Alella’s cava and two Champagnes represent the elite of sparkling wines in Decanter’s selection of the 50 best wines in the world

We celebrate an extraordinary achievement by receiving the ‘Best in Show‘ medal at the Decanter World Wine Awards, one of the most prestigious wine competitions worldwide.

Alta Alella Mirgin Exeo Evolució+ 2004 has been selected amongst more than 18,000 wines from 57 countries, consolidating its position as one of the 50 best wines in the world, alongside great exponents from France, Italy and other renowned winemaking countries. It is also the only cava, and the only Spanish sparkling wine, to hold the highest category.

“It is an honor to see how our work and passion for cava are recognized worldwide. Our goal has always been to create wines that express the uniqueness of our terroir, with a strong commitment to quality and sustainability. This award confirms that we are on the right path,” explains Mireia Pujol-Busquets, co-director and second generation of the winery.

A legacy of excellence

“Fresh and lifted on the nose” with “a high-impact palate: searching, long and fine-foamed”, reads the tasting note of the jury. Alta Alella Mirgin Exeo Evolució+ 2004 has seduced the palates of a panel of 243 recognized wine specialists from 33 countries -including 20 Master Sommeliers and 61 Masters of Wine-, who blind tasted thousands of wines from around the world.

When this wine was made in 2004 those changes were still a decade or more away [referring to the DO Cava’s new zone and subzone legislation] – but they’re prefigured here, in what was clearly a vanguard style with clear sub-regional identity, note the awards experts.

This collectible cava from the Pujol-Busquets family has been patiently aged for more than 18 years on the lees with a cork stopper. It is made from a blend of the traditional Pansa Blanca (Xarel·lo) and Chardonnay grapes from the Vallcirera vineyard, now classified as a Paraje Calificado (“Grand Cru – single vineyard”.

“Alta Alella Mirgin Exeo Evolució+ 2004 is more than a wine; it is an expression of the Alella’s singular terroir and our firm commitment to quality and authenticity,” says Josep Maria Pujol-Busquets, winemaker and founder of the winery.

The Alta Alella vineyards are planted less than 2 km from the Mediterranean Sea and are grown in Sauló, a granitic sandy soil with good drainage and low organic matter. These characteristics give the wine an excellent natural acidity, excellent for long ageing. The jury confirmed: “Two decades in the cellar have brought great harmony, but the freshness of the raw materials is still evident”.

More info

Continue reading

Alta Alella joins the prestigious association Grandes Pagos de España

2024.06.20

  • The winery’s inclusion in Grandes Pagos de España reinforces our commitment to quality and the production of honest wines that capture the characteristics of the terroir and the vintage.

  • The Pujol-Busquets family, with a firm commitment to the territory and integral winemaking, also announces a new investment that will expand its vineyards to 90 hectares.

We are delighted to announce that Alta Alella has officially joined the prestigious Grandes Pagos de España(GPE) association. This non-profit organization brings together renowned wineries that produce wines in perfect harmony with the soil, nature, and climate of their vineyards.

“Becoming a member of Grandes Pagos de España is a significant achievement for us,” says Josep Maria Pujol-Busquets, our founder and winemaker. “It acknowledges our dedication to quality and authenticity, reinforcing our commitment to crafting wines that truly represent the unique characteristics of our terroir.”

Grandes Pagos de España sets rigorous admission standards, including the production of singular wines that reflect the terroir, respect for the typicity and origin of the estate, and the exclusivity of grapes from their own vineyards. We are proud that six of our wines and cavas have been included in this prestigious association: Alta Alella 10 2012, Alta Alella Mirgin Opus 2019, Alta Alella Mirgin Exeo 2017, Alta Alella Cau d’en Genís 2022, Alta Alella Lanius 2021, and Alta Alella Dolç Mataró 2020.

In addition to this exciting news, we are investing in new plantations located in the Serralada de Marina Natural Park, expanding our vineyard area to 90 hectares in the upcoming years. This expansion not only increases our production capacity but also helps preserve one of the most emblematic wine regions near Barcelona. “Our vineyards are the lungs of Barcelona,” says Mireia Pujol-Busquets, deputy director and second generation of the winery. “We winegrowers play a key role in the conservation and management of the territory, especially in areas threatened by urban pressure.”

At Alta Alella, we remain dedicated to producing exceptional wines that reflect the richness and diversity of our territory. We look forward to continuing our journey alongside the distinguished members of Grandes Pagos de España, promoting the diversity and richness of our winemaking heritage.

Continue reading

“Discovering Mireia Pujol-Busquets”, interview by Decántalo

2024.06.12

Meet Mireia Pujol-Busquets, co-owner and second generation of Alta Alella. Mireia narrates her first contacts with the world of wine, the influence of her parents, her commitment to sustainability and the adaptation of viticulture to climate change. She also explores the creation of Celler de les Aus, the winery dedicated to wines and sparkling wines without added sulfites, and the importance of wine tourism for the winery, offering unique experiences for wine lovers.

“They have influenced me a lot in a good way: they have taught me to value and love our territory and to develop a project in a place with a wine tradition, particularly instilling in me the value of recovering the history of the place.”

Read the interview

Continue reading

Alta Alella Mirgin receives the ‘T del Vino’ Award from Tapas Magazine

2024.06.11

Tapas honors the most outstanding wineries in the different Spanish regions and selects Alta Alella and Mirgin representing Catalonia

Tapas magazine presented on June 10th the first edition of the T del Vino Awards, with a selection of “17 essential wines in any good wine cellar”, amongst which Alta Alella Mirgin is included. Each of these wines recognizes one winery per Autonomous Community of Spain, “with the potential to become a national and world wine reference”, according to the organization.

The award-winning wines have been selected by a jury composed of prominent sommeliers from each autonomous community.

During the ceremony, held at the Hotel Santo Mauro in Madrid, the first edition of the ‘Tapas Guide: 365 wines to toast all year round’ was presented, an initiative that follows on from the six previous editions of the Tapas Guide dedicated to gastronomy.

More info

Continue reading

Alta Alella Mirgin celebrates 23 harvests with a unique sensorial experience

2024.06.15

On June 10, we celebrated 23 vintages with a unique event that promotes the heritage of time, the natural commitment and the richness of Alella’s terroir. Located in the heart of the Cordillera de Marina Natural Park, amongst vineyards and with spectacular views of the Mediterranean Sea, various wine figures, sommeliers and critics were able to enjoy short cinematographic films, paired with original plates and wines and cavas from the ‘library’ of the Pujol-Busquets Guillén family, especially selected for the occasion.

Mireia Pujol-Busquets presenting the evening – Miriam Clotet

Wines and cavas from exceptional vintages

The night’s protagonists were the wines and cavas from old vintages that had rested patiently until now in the family’s ‘library’ and have been uncorked exclusively for the celebration. Some with up to 21 years of ageing, these are wines to which time has conferred complexity and elegance, while maintaining a surprising freshness thanks to the particularities of the Alella area’s terroir. The vineyards grow in Sauló, a sandy granitic soil that gives the wines an exceptional natural acidity, and less than 2 km from the Mediterranean sea.

  • Alta Alella 10, 2012: A collectible cava with a minimum of 10 years ageing, awarded as the best cava for 3 years in a row by the Peñín Guide (97/100 points), best sparkling wine by Vivir el vino (99/ 100 points), amongst other distinctions.
  • Aus Bruant, 2018: Made with Pansa Blanca and pioneer in its category, it was the first cava without sulfites ever made, back in 2006.
  • Alta Alella Cau d’en Genís, 2017 (Magnum): Made in cement egg (Oeuf de Beaune), it represents the traditional Pansa Blanca variety at its best. It is fresh, mineral and elegant.
  • Alta Alella Lanius, 2003: The essence of Alella expressed through Chardonnay ripeness and wood fermentation.
  • Alta Alella Orbus, 2003: Mediterranean Syrah with 14 months of barrel ageing, expressing the freshness of the land by the sea. It is made only in cool vintages, with a climate more typical of continental areas.
  • Alta Alella Dolç Mataró, 2010: Emblematic sweet wine from the winery, made with the traditional Mataró grape variety. It is listed in some of the best restaurants in the world.

Wines and cavas from old vintages – Miriam Clotet

A unique and sensorial experience

VINEMA is an original idea from Mireia Pujol-Busquets and documentary filmmaker Pau Sanclemente, which combines wine, gastronomy and cinema. An innovative approach that emphasizes local and sustainable products, seeking an emotional and sensorial impact on the audience. A demonstration of our passion for creating unforgettable moments and a new way of understanding and enjoying wine, beyond the glass. To innovate without losing sight of our roots and respect for the environment.

On this occasion, an inflatable screen powered by photovoltaic solar energy from Ecocinema, a production company that uses film as a communication tool and positive social impact, was installed on the winery’s terrace. Works by renowned filmmakers such as Neus Ballús with ‘Blow!’, nominated for the Gaudí and Goya awards, Javier Barbero Montes with ‘Siembra’ or Joan Bover with ‘Dear Michael’ were projected. Each of them, six in total, was paired with an original plate by chef Miquel Antoja, inspired by the different short films, and one of Alta Alella’s wines. The idea with this pairing is to ‘eat and watch the wine’, while you drink it. A 360º experience that activates all the senses and in which everything is connected.

Alta Alella Cau d’en Genís 2017 Màgnum & ‘Egg inside and egg’ – Pol Farrarons

And 23 harvests later, we maintain the same enthusiasm and passion we started with.

Find out what the media are saying:

  • Montserrat Serra a Vilaweb: “Vins de llarga criança d’Alta Alella mariden amb cinema i gastronomia” –  Read it now
  • Ramon Roset a VadeVi: “Alta Alella fa una celebració de cine de les seves 23 veremes” – Read it now
  • La Vanguardia: “Alta Alella obre al públic la seva ‘vibilioteca’ i comercialitzarà vins i caves embotellats fa més de 20 anys” – Read it now
  • Revista Origen: “Alta Alella Mirgin celebra sus 23 vendimias” – Read it now
  • Laia Martínez / ACN a Badalona comunicació: “La privada i selecta Viblioteca d’Alta Alella obre les portes al públic” – Read it now
  • Vinos y Restaurantes: “Alta Alella Mirgin celebra 23 vendimias con un maridaje de cine” – Read it now

Continue reading

Alta Alella Mirgin, participating in Vinoble 2024

2024.05.09

We are pleased to announce that Alta Alella Mirgin will be participating in the renowned Salón Internacional de los Vinos Nobles, Vinoble 2024, to be held May 26-28, 2024 at the majestic Alcázar de Jerez.

Vinoble is recognized for bringing together the best exponents of fortified wines, liqueurs and special sweets, and the Alcázar de Jerez provides an incomparable setting for this celebration. From Alta Alella, we will bring a selection of Cavas de Guarda Superior (Elaborador Integral DO Cava) and our emblematic “noble wine”, Dolç Mataró.

We will share table with other unique brands thanks to the invitation of the Sociedad Jerezana del Vino, at stand number 29 located in the Palace – First Floor. We will be delighted to welcome visitors and share the history and terroir that characterize our wines.

As a winery committed to quality and excellence, we are excited to present our products at this outstanding event in which the Alcazar of Jerez, with its historical charm and cultural significance, will be the perfect backdrop.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Continue reading

“Alta Alella; this is the winery where excellence flies high” – Cupatges

2024.03.08

Cupatges, the Catalan online media dedicated to wine and gastronomy, publishes an extensive report on Mireia Pujol-Busquets and her role in the Alta Alella winery. Territory, quality and sustainability are the three pillars on which the journalist, Lourdes López, focuses.

“Mireia Pujol-Busquets, deputy director of the winery and member of the second generation, is the woman in front. She is a leading and determined woman who defends that this is her place, her vineyard, her home and her family’s. She has a bee in her bonnet about a major challenge for the future: to make constantly better wines that represent the territory, honest and well made. And all this, while taking care of this beautiful landscape where the winemaking cooperative movement was born at the beginning of the 20th century; where sustainability is imperative”, the journalist states.

This is the first in a series of articles entitled “Women winemakers: the wine revolution of the territory”, which begins today on the occasion of International Women’s Day 2024.

Read the full article

Continue reading

Alta Alella Mirgin: ‘Entry Level Catalan Sparkling Of The Year’ by Tim Atkin

2022.03.14

Great news for Alta Alella lovers! We are proud to share that various of our cavas have been featured in the ‘Catalan sparkling wines special report’, written by the sparkling wine expert Tom Hewson and published by renowned Master of Wine and journalist Tim Atkin.

In the report, a total of seven cavas of the Pujol-Busquets Family have been distinguished with a score of more than 90 points, all of them organic and with the quality and traceability stamp Integral Producer (Elaborador Integral).

Alta Alella Mirgin, “everything you could hope for”

Special mention has received Alta Alella Mirgin 2019, which has been chosen “Entry Level Catalan Sparkling Of The Year” (wines up to 15 €). This cava is, according to Hewson, “everything you could hope for”. “A delicious, perfectly-tuned wine of terrific value with its vivid, juicy lime fruit and marine aromatics” he adds.

Alta Alella Laietà Rosé 2019 also stands out in its category, which has obtained the best score for a sparkling rosé. “One of the region’s [Catalonia] most impressive rose sparkling wines, this is invitingly fragrant with cherry, strawberry and lightly creamy notes”, describes the expert.

All the ratings for Alta Alella

  • Alta Alella Mirgin Exeo Evolució+ 2005 – Cava de Guarda Superior Gran Reserva 94 points
  • Alta Alella Mirgin Exeo 2017 – Paratge Qualificat Vallcirera 94 points
  • Alta Alella Mirgin Opus 2019 – Paratge Qualificat Vallcirera 94 points
  • Alta Alella Laietà 2019 – Cava de Guarda Superior Gran Reserva 93 points
  • Alta Alella Laietà Rosé 2018 – Cava de Guarda Superior Gran Reserva 93 points (Top score for a rosé sparkling wine)
  • Alta Alella Mirgin 2019 – Cava de Guarda Superior Reserva 93 points (Best Catalan entry-level sparkling wine)
  • Alta Alella Mirgin Rosé 2019 – Cava de Guarda Superior Reserva 93 points

Hewson also highlights the uniqueness of the Alella territory, the Sauló (sandy granitic soil), the Mediterranean climate and the proximity to the sea. These are characteristics that the author considers unique and that produce “open wines”.

You can read the full report by purchasing it on the website https://timatkin.com

Continue reading

Welcome!

To visit our website,
please verify that you are
of legal drinking age
in your region/country
of residence.

Enjoy wine in moderation.