Can Descregut La Socarrada

One of the best-known pre-Roman people groups who lived in the Iberian Peninsula were the Iberians. This is because of a large number of archaeological remains that have been found over the centuries as well as their trading relationship with other neighbouring Mediterranean peoples. In the Penedès, located on the north-eastern coast of the peninsula (Catalonia), it is quite common to come across Iberian sites. People have found amphorae and jars as well as other utensils that nod to their cultivation, storage and consumption of wine more than 2,000 years ago. In 1968, in “La Socarrada”, a vineyard belonging to the Can Descregut family winery, they discovered various Iberian artefacts dating back to the 1st century BC. In honour of this connection to their origins, Arantxa De Cara and Marc Milà, who currently run the winery, created Can Descregut La Socarrada, a wine that is made in ceramic amphorae.

If there is one thing this winery in the heart of the Penedès, in Vilobí del Penedès, is known for, it is their desire to reflect the soul of their local area. Their “La socarrada” vineyard, which gets strong and constant sunlight, hence its name socarrada (scorched in Catalan), is the birthplace of their wine with the same name. Can Descregut La Socarrada is a white wine made with Macabeo vines dating back to 1971. All work is organic with CPAE certification. Once harvested by hand, the selected grapes undergo cold skin-contact maceration and gentle pressing. Then, with some of the skins and stems, they are fermented in ceramic amphorae with native yeasts and finally the wine is aged on fine lees for 6 months in stainless steel tanks.

With a label showing a burning sun drawn by Joan Milà De Cara, the couple’s newest wine, Can Descregut La Socarrada honours the plot where it comes from. A Macabeo bathed in the Mediterranean sun and made as it was more than 2,000 years ago, with ceramic amphorae.