Brut Cava, Castellar

40% Macabeo, 40% Xarello, 20% Parellada

Unlike a lot of Cava these days, Casteller comes only from estate-grown native varieties , and spends 12 months on the lees in bottle. Clean, bright and dry, this is a textbook example of traditional Cava profile and sets a very high bar for those new to the style.

Meant to evoke all things Catalan, Casteller Cava is a bright, zesty expression of the traditional sparkling wine of Penedès. “Casteller,” or “Tower,” refers to the tradition of different clans and villages competing during holiday festivals to see who can build the tallest human tower. 

In 2006, the Casteller tradition was named by UNESCO as an Intangible Heritage of Humanity, owing to its widespread practice in Catalonia over the course of many centuries. This lovely bubbly honors the tradition and conviviality of these festivals and the long tradition of sparkling winemaking in Catalonia. Winemaker Maria Galup has crafted a dry, beautiful textured Cava lent by 12 months on the lees.