Penedes
Wine has been made in the Penedès (pen-eh-DEZ) Denominación de Origen (DO) since pre-Roman times. There is some evidence that indigenous Iberian people were making wine in the area now known as Catalonia in northeastern Spain even before the Phoenicians explored the region, five or six centuries before the birth of Christ, which would make it one of the oldest winegrowing regions in the Western Mediterranean.
The DO begins on the shores of the Mediterranean about 20 miles south of Barcelona, runs down the coast for roughly 30 miles and extends inland about 25 miles.
It's a beautiful region, with scattered woodlands and small farms as well as orchards and, naturally, vineyards. The jagged peaks of Montserrat (home of the famous 11th century religious shrine) can be seen on clear days from most vineyards in the Penedès. Besides its scenic value, the mountain also protects the vines from cold northern winds. The temperature, an influence of the Mediterranean, negates big swings in climate, ensuring steady vintage quality year after year.
Until recently, the region has been best known for cava, Spain's internationally famous sparkling wine. Due to the huge worldwide success of the cavas, money for capital investment has poured into the region, making it one of the most technically advanced and equipped winemaking areas of Spain.
