The Penedès region faces an unprecedented scenario of uncertainty for its grape growers. Indicators such as the reduction in cava production by Freixenet, the surplus of grapes and base wine from the previous harvest, and pessimistic sales figures for wines and sparkling wines, fuel fears of an imminent crisis.
“"We are experiencing a very critical situation, where 35% of the vineyards planted in Penedès would be surplus, and in this upcoming harvest, the price of grapes could plummet."
This situation could transform the landscape of Penedès, which might cease to be the "green lung" between Barcelona and Tarragona, giving way to industrial estates or solar panel fields, a historical threat due to urban pressure. Furthermore, the transfer of some wineries from the DO Cava to the Corpinnat brand, which guarantees rising prices for growers, adds a new dynamic to the sector.
The wine surplus has led cooperatives to sell base wine as table wine, downgrading it due to falling prices and demand. This trend has been exacerbated because Freixenet, one of the major producers, has drastically reduced its grape purchases in Penedès. In 2024, drought forced the winery to acquire grapes from other regions to meet international demand, especially from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, launching the product Freixenet Premium Sparkling Wine Cuvée outside the DO Cava. This practice continued in 2025, despite it being a good harvest year, as the new product was already established.
The direct consequence is that the region's major producer has not bought grapes in Penedès for two consecutive years, leading to unharvested vineyards in 2025 and growers selling grapes without a fixed price. Freixenet has declined to respond to inquiries about the number of cava bottles it has ceased to produce, citing "confidential information".
“"Paying less than 60 cents per kilo of harvested grapes is ruinous for the grower."
The president of the cava employers' association, Joaquim Tosas, agrees that Penedès is at risk due to declining sales and current geopolitics. He emphasizes the need for joint solutions among administration, producers, and growers to ensure the viability of Catalan vineyards and compete globally. Meanwhile, Pere Llopart, president of Corpinnat, highlights that his brand cultivates 10% of the Penedès vineyards and agrees on fair minimum prices for growers, with a minimum price of 0.943€/kg for varieties listed in their regulations in 2026, a practice considered "unusual" in the sector.
