Source: Mont Marçal
MONT-MARCAL
Penedes, Spain
Manuel Sancho's 230-acre estate, "Finca Manlleu", is located on a prominent chalky knoll five miles south of Vilafranca del Penedes overlooking the hamlet of Sat Marçal. The 100 acres are planted to Parellada, Xarel0lo, Macabeo and Chardonnay for white wines; Tempranillo, Cabernet sauvignon nad Merlot for reds. The "Mont" provides 360-degree exposure, creating a wide variety of microclimates for maturation of the various varieties.
In 1975, Manuel Sancho purchased a neglected 18th century covenant, converting it to a state-of-the-art winemaking facility and initiating the restructuring of the vineyards. Recent excavation has expanded the CAVA aging and bottling capacity, at the same time revealing medieval underground passageways in the chalk which have been carefully preserved for additional bottle storage.
Intrinsic vineyard quality and careful handling of the grapes obtain a naturally-rich base wine in little need of dosage. Mont-Marçal Brut Rserva is produced from the indigenous white grapes, Xarel-lo, Macabeo, Parellada and Chardonnay, aged at least 18 months with the yeast, and disgorged on order for shipment.