Partida Creus Muz Natural Vermouth NV

Partida Creus stands as one of the most iconic names in Spain's natural wine movement, transforming forgotten indigenous grapes into sought-after bottles. Founded in 2001 by Italian architects Antonella Gerosa and Massimo Marchiori, this pioneering winery has become synonymous with innovative natural winemaking in Catalonia's Penedès region.

The couple's journey began when they left their architectural careers in Piedmont for a slower-paced life in Barcelona. Seeking authentic, chemical-free wines and finding none that met their standards, they moved to the remote village of Bonastre in the Baix Penedès around 2000. There, they discovered an abandoned cottage and surrounding vineyards planted with obsolete grape varieties that local farmers considered worthless.

What locals saw as a liability, Massimo and Antonella recognized as an opportunity. They began rescuing old, low-yielding vines of indigenous varieties like Sumoll, Garrut, Trepat, Cartoixa Vermell, and Vinyater—grapes that had been disqualified from Denominación de Origen status or simply forgotten in favor of profitable international varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Their neighbors initially thought they were crazy for not replacing these ancient vines with more commercially viable options.

The winery name "Partida Creus" references the stone crosses historically used by Catalans to mark land boundaries. Working from their property "El Maiol," surrounded by protected forest and Mediterranean scrub, the couple applies biodynamic principles throughout their vineyards. They hand-harvest all grapes with help from their donkey and mule companions, Orazio and Vincenza.

In the cellar, Partida Creus practices strict minimal intervention winemaking. All wines ferment with native yeasts in steel tanks, receive no fining or filtration, and contain zero added sulfur—a practice they adopted completely in 2013. This approach allows their rescued grape varieties to express authentic terroir characteristics in wines known for freshness, precision, and salinity.

Today, Partida Creus produces over 100,000 bottles annually from their network of recovered vineyards, including popular cuvées like VN, CX, SK, and their AA Ancestral method sparkling wines. They also craft MUZ, a distinctive vermouth made from 51 botanicals following a 1870 Turin recipe. Their success has influenced neighboring producers to abandon chemical farming and embrace sustainable practices, proving that forgotten grape varieties can create world-class natural wines.

Catalonia stands as Spain's second-largest wine producing region, crafting over 5.5 million hectoliters annually across its diverse northeastern territories. Stretching from the Pyrenees to the Mediterranean coast, this autonomous community encompasses four provinces—Barcelona, Girona, Lleida, and Tarragona—each contributing unique characteristics to the region's remarkable wine portfolio.

The region's Mediterranean climate creates ideal conditions for viticulture, with warm coastal areas receiving moderate rainfall while inland zones experience continental influences. Varied elevations from sea level to over 2,000 feet provide diverse microclimates, allowing both international varieties and indigenous grapes to thrive across different terroirs.

Catalonia boasts eleven Denominaciones de Origen, making it one of Spain's most designation-rich regions. The flagship Penedès DO, located just 45 minutes from Barcelona, serves as the birthplace of Cava sparkling wine and produces 95% of Spain's traditional method bubbles. The prestigious Priorat DOCa, one of only two Spanish regions holding this highest classification, creates intensely concentrated reds from ancient Garnacha and Carignan vines planted on steep slate terraces.

Traditional Catalan varieties form the backbone of regional winemaking. White grapes include Xarel-lo, Macabeo, and Parellada—the holy trinity of Cava production—alongside Garnacha Blanca. Red varieties center on Garnacha (Grenache) and Carignan, with Tempranillo known locally as Ull de Llebre. International varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, and Syrah have found success here since Torres pioneered their introduction in the 1970s.

From Empordà's wind-swept vineyards near the French border to Terra Alta's sun-drenched hills, each sub-region offers distinct expressions. Montsant delivers "poor man's Priorat" with similarly powerful reds at accessible prices, while Costers del Segre surprises with high-altitude whites. The overarching Catalunya DO allows blending across regional boundaries, fostering innovation and versatility. Catalonia's wine industry embraces sustainability, with Penedès on track to become the world's first 100% organic DO.