The journey outside the DO Cava has not gone badly for Raventós i Blanc. Ten years after abandoning this appellation of origin and continuing his adventure alone, aside from other proposals such as Corpinnat or the Clàssic Penedès from the DO Penedès, the firm directed by Pepe Raventós has reaped the best sales figure in the history of the winery in the first half of this year. They have grown 20% above forecasts adding their sparkling wines (500,000 bottles) and their natural still wines from Can Sumoi (300,000 bottles).
They already closed the last year with a turnover of 8.5 million euros, 25% more than in 2020. When they left the DO Cava, in 2012, they invoiced 5.5 million euros with the same production as in the 2021. Pepe Raventós would be satisfied equaling or slightly exceeding 2021 sales this year despite acknowledging that the possible recession in the final stretch of the year and the “rebound effect that can be generated by a higher level of purchases filling some stores that had been left empty after covid.” They plan to close the year by selling the record number of 600,000 bottles of their quality sparkling wines. They already export 70% of their production. The United States, Japan and the United Kingdom are its main international fiefdoms. 40% of its exports are concentrated in the US.
Things are going so well that they are reinvesting. They have budgeted 800,000 euros to create underground caves where to relocate their agricultural machinery from next October, install photovoltaic panels and replant two hectares of vineyard in Can Sumoi, with the sumoll variety, and 4.5 in the historic vineyards of Sant Sadurní d'Anoia.
Now they are in full harvest. The dry and warm vintage has meant a 20% drop in their production but they have announced that they will buy 800,000 kg of grapes from old organic vineyards at 1 euro per kg for their sparkling wines and 300,000 kilos for their natural wines.
They acquire grapes at record prices from native varieties that meet demanding quality criteria. Pepe Raventós acknowledges that this decision represents an important effort that will translate into his income statement. He adds that “we alone will not be able to save the Penedès but we do show that a different path is possible to give more value to the producers in a territory that is very self-conscious. If we can do it, so can other processors.” And he also trusts that “our gesture can be inspiring”.
