Agustí Torelló Roca

AT Roca is leading a significant shift in Penedès, marking a departure from the long-established Cava DO. This movement, initiated by a single winery, has seen an increasing number of top sparkling wine producers moving away from the DO, seeking a stronger connection to the unique characteristics of their locale. This trend reflects the Catalan spirit of individuality, and AT Roca is a prime example of this independence in the heart of Catalunya.

Founded in 2013 by Agustí Torello Roca, alongside his father Agustí Torello Sibill and aunt Lali Torello Sibill, AT Roca places great emphasis on producing wines that embody a true sense of place. The Agustí Torello name carries a legacy in Penedès, renowned for producing high-quality Cava for three generations with Agustí Torello Mata. One of AT Roca's initial goals was to join DO Classic Penedès, a branch of the Penedès DO established in 2012, starting with just 10 members and growing steadily. This organization is notable for being one of the first to mandate organic certification for its members.

Beyond organic farming, DO Classic Penedès sets a high bar with requirements like a minimum of 15 months aging on lees, compared to just 9 months in DO Cava, and mandates that all wines must be made using traditional methods and be vintage dated. AT Roca surpasses these standards, utilizing indigenous yeasts and hand-harvesting all their grapes, a contrast to the predominantly machine-harvested grapes in both Cava and Classic Penedès. Their single-vineyard wines are especially distinguished, fermented in used barrels and aged on lees under natural cork rather than crown caps – a rarity in the region. They use sulfur minimally, only once to inhibit malolactic fermentation, preserving the grapes' natural acidity. True to the ethos of natural wine, all AT Roca's sparkling wines are zero dosage, showcasing their commitment to authentic, terroir-driven winemaking.