Climate & terroir in Penedès
Between the Mediterranean Sea and the Prelitoral mountain range.
The land of Penedès, between Barcelona and Tarragona, and from sea level to 600 meters altitude, receives the influence of the sun and the sea, making it so special for vine cultivation, protected from the cold winds of the north by the massif of Montserrat. Its landscape maintains the rural atmosphere of the villages in harmony with nature.
The vineyards are the hallmark of this showcase that makes the difference, thanks to the careful work of the land that has been done generation after generation. With passion and commitment to move forward. Viticulture has become an art of working the land reflected in our traditional still and sparkling wines.
The climate of Penedès is generally mild with Mediterranean influence and Mistral and West winds where sea breezes predominate in the summer with high humidity favoring us to cool the vineyard. The average temperature is 15°C, but summers are long and warm which gives us higher temperatures during the day, helping us to achieve optimal ripeness and fruity aroma, and lower temperatures at night which also favors the rest of the plant. In winter, temperatures can drop to 0°C, very beneficial for the vine during pruning season.
Working the vineyard in dryland, we depend entirely on the rain of Penedès.
That's why each vintage is not identical to the previous one, which gives it its charm and personality.
Winemaking tradition, culture, and heritage make Penedès a territory with a distinct identity.
The terroir, rich in limestone soils, from which the different grape varieties are born and grow, makes the difference.
In our case, it will be the varieties of Macabeo, Xarel·lo, Parellada, and Xarel.lo Vermell that form the main landscape of our vineyards and are the protagonists of our winery.
In addition to other varieties to a lesser extent. Our vineyards receive an ecological treatment as this has been and is our work philosophy, to care for and maintain the land that has seen us grow. We use natural products. We work with organic fertilizers like our ancestors.
Each land can give specific properties to the vine and the grape. The soils that make up our estate are clayey, limestone, gravelly, and sandy which favor the vine depending on each variety.
Macabeu
Thick , golden, and very fine skin.
The cluster of this variety is compact and large. It is ideal for giving breadth to our sparkling wines. As for the wine, it will provide fruity aroma and balanced acidity. It has slow budding, is resistant to frost and drought. The period when it is at its optimal ripeness is in August or early September."
Red Xarel·lo
Native and endangered grape variety.
It was very present in the Penedès area, but with the arrival of cava, it went almost extinct. It is unique for its red colour, has a very thick skin that protects it from diseases, and gives very aromatic wines that remind us of red fruits. It is harvested at its optimal ripeness, which is usually at the end of September.
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Xarel·lo
Native variety of Penedès.
The grapes are of medium size and not very compact with thick skin. It will provide body and structure to our sparkling wines. In wines, such as Blanc de Blancs, it gives personality, strength, body, floral and fruity aromas. The harvest season is in late August.
Red Garnacha
A traditional variety of the Mediterranean and drought-resistant. It is typical for rosés, with good alcohol content and medium body. Very aromatic with predominant red fruits. Our Aymar rosé is a single variety of this grape, which is located in an area of the estate where the soil is very warm.
Parellada
A very fine variety that produces large and compact grapes.
It has a greenish golden colour and a tough skin. It has a low degree, medium acidity, and a very fresh aroma, which makes it ideal for blending in our Clàssic Penedès. On the other hand, it contributes softness and lightness to the wine. We cultivate it in the highest areas of the estate. It is harvested at the end of September and beginning of October.
Climate & terroir in Prades mountains
Prades Mountains
The Prades Mountains, located in the region of Tarragona, present a unique climate characterized by cold winters and moderately warm summers, with a significant temperature variation between day and night. This area enjoys a mountainous Mediterranean climate, with an altitude that provides an ideal coolness for vine cultivation. The estates of Vimbodí and Vallclara, situated on the slopes of these mountains, benefit from this climate, which favors a slow and balanced ripening of the grapes.
The soils of llicorella, typical of this region, are particularly valued in viticulture for their ability to drain water and retain heat, which helps produce wines of great quality. The llicorella, a schistose slate, contributes a characteristic minerality to the wines, enhancing their complexity and structure.
These conditions, enhanced by altitude and soil composition, are ideal for producing wines with lively acidity, intense aromas, and excellent quality. The dedication of the Aymar winery to these high-altitude vineyards highlights the viticultural potential of the region.
Carmenère
Carmenère is a grape variety originally from Bordeaux, France, although it is very popular in Chile, where it was rediscovered after being considered virtually extinct in Europe. In Spain, this variety is almost unknown, but the Aymar winery has done an important task of recovering it at the Montagudell estate. Carmenère wines are usually intense and complex, with red and black fruits, spices, pepper and herbal touches, with a soft texture and well-integrated tannins.