Celler Pardas

In 1996, oenologist Ramon Parera and agronomist Jordi Anan discovered an abandoned estate, located 250 metres above sea level in the Penedés region of Catalonia. Affected by the Spanish Civil war, the Can Comas estate was made up of 60 hectares of unkempt Mediterranean forest and pasture surrounding a run-down medieval farmhouse.

They discovered a gem – an ancient cellar that had survived the dregs of war. The two painstakingly restored the cellar and the building, carefully planting new vineyards and pioneering a winemaking process Ramon and Jordi call “Conception Wine.” 

The phoenix-like rejuvenation of Can Comas is reflected in the wines produced by Celler Pardas.

The vineyards are not irrigated or ploughed, minimizing erosion of the land and allowing for greater expression of the vintage. Fermentation is done with indigenous yeasts and the wines are not clarified. With clay-lime soils on petrocalcic rocks, Celler Pardas wines reflect the terroir’s salty, mineral-infused characteristics. 

Ramon has fought to bring back grape varietals had had fallen out of favour with the Appalachians, such as Sumoll, Xarel.lo and Malvasia Sitges. As anyone who has tasted Celler Pardas wine knows, his efforts have most certainly paid off.

A man as eclectic as his wines, Ramon’s other passion is vinyl, with over 3000 records in his collection. Next time any fans from Canada visit Barcelona, a stop for some music and wine at Pardas is essential.