Can Ràfols dels Caus is without question one of the most spectacular wineries in Spain. The estate south of Barcelona between Castelldefels and Sitges was first mentioned in writing in 929 AD and has had an eventful history right up to modern times. The Esteva family acquired the estate in 1939, but it was under the grandson of Jacinto Estevas, Carlos Estevas, that the steep rise to the top class of Penedes wineries began. Carlos Estevas had studied viticulture on Mallorca and with Can Ràfols dels Caus he was able to realise his dream of owning his own top wine estate. Producing wine in this rugged, barren landscape is a challenge, but the conditions are ideal. The vineyards are located on a fossil-rich limestone soil, an escarpment between the Mediterranean and the inland, which is interspersed with granite. But first Carlos Esteva had to renovate the vineyards, orchards and the estate itself. 1,000 hectares belonged to the winery, but only 90 hectares are planted with vines, precisely divided into 1-hectare parcels. He had over 28 grape varieties planted, including Merlot because of his particular passion for Pomerol wines. The estate has been certified organic since 2008, but biodynamic methods have already been implemented in some areas. The showpiece is the spectacular wine cellar, which was literally carved out of the barren rock. The entire estate appears harmonious and perfectly integrated into the landscape. The wines are all fermented with natural yeasts and are sent to the connoisseurs with only a little sulphur, often none at all. But these wines are not that easy to find, because with yields of around 1 kilogram of grapes per vine, the quantities produced here are manageable despite the size of 90 hectares. But those who do find a bottle or two can look forward to extremely remarkable wines.
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