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Discovering Perelada with Delfí Sanahuja

23/09/2026 Interviews
Discovering Perelada with Delfí Sanahuja

Good thing we had the microphones on... The constant fluttering of birds and storks made it clear from the very first moment who rules this dreamlike landscape. They fly freely, knowing that this setting amidst vineyards and history is their true home.

In this magical setting, we are welcomed by Delfí Sanahuja, the technical director and winemaker at Perelada. Busy as always in such a lively house, yet with an approachable manner that instantly captivates. He arrived for an internship while studying Oenology in Tarragona and never left. Today, 34 harvests later, Delfí not only works here; he knows, feels, and interprets the place like no one else.

Between Science, Curiosity, and Creative Freedom

Delfí Sanahuja's career cannot be understood without the constant scientific approach that has shaped his philosophy, an approach inherited from his professor and advisor, Josep Lluís Pérez (from Mas Martinet), with whom he learned the irreplaceable value of questioning everything and always seeking the "why" behind each process.

This technical foundation is complemented by a key alliance with the ownership. A close relationship with Javier Suqué, president of the Peralada Group and third generation of the founding family, who has always provided him with the support and tools necessary to test, experiment, and innovate without limits.

As a result of this freedom, fascinating projects such as the Ex Ex (Exceptional Experiences) are born. These are ephemeral and sequential wines where each year something unique is crafted, exploring the boundaries of oenology without losing the identity of the land.

Landscape Wines: The Magic of Finca Garbet

For Delfí, the secret of a great wine lies in the work in the field and knowing how to interpret it correctly upon reaching the winery. If there is an iconic vineyard that embodies this spirit, it is Finca Garbet.

Located in a natural amphitheatre just 20 metres from the Mediterranean Sea, Garbet is the epitome of "landscape wines". From there, gems like Aires de Garbet are born, a single-varietal Mediterranean Garnacha that brings to the glass everything surrounding the vine. That is, sun, sea, and the imposing freshness of the Tramuntana. The result is a wine with an overwhelming personality, where the sea breeze and wind shape the low-yield, concentrated, intense, and supremely balanced grapes.

The New Winery: The Conjunction of the Stars

Inaugurated in May 2022, reaching the milestone of the new Perelada winery was not a matter of luck, but a perfect conjunction of factors where "the stars aligned":

  1. Functional Oenology: A design conceived by and for the work of wine.
  2. Architecture with Soul: Designed by the award-winning RCR Arquitectes studio (winners of the Pritzker Prize in 2017).
  3. Real Sustainability: Pioneers in achieving the prestigious LEED Gold certification, the first winery in Europe to do so.
  4. Experiential Wine Tourism: A space designed for enjoyment, culture, and the delight of the visitor.
  5. Sensory Spectacle: An environment that, upon crossing the threshold, envelops the spectator in a unique atmosphere.

All of this driven by an impeccable host spirit and supported by a team that functions like a well-oiled machine.

Identity, Territory, and the Value of Perelada

Empordà is a land of diversity. With more than 20 authorised varieties and a great richness of soils, Perelada knows how to play with this plurality. Although Garnacha and Cariñena are the historical queens, along with Macabeo in whites, the incorporation of varieties such as Monastrell and Syrah adds new layers of complexity. If Delfí had to define the profile of his wines, he is clear: fruit intensity, complexity, and balance. Vines influenced by the harshness of the Tramuntana that produce little but deliver raw material of exceptional quality.

This project demonstrates how a small town can become a global reference for leisure and culture thanks to an offering that integrates a hotel, winery, golf course, museum, restaurants, and its famous festival. Delfí Sanahuja has found his place in the world at Perelada. A corner where he proves every day that Spain remains one of the best countries in the world for quality-price ratio to enjoy great wine.

To close the meeting, Delfí bids us farewell by raising his glass under his usual motto: “Health and wine.” A true declaration of intent from a winemaker who, above all, enjoys doing what he does. 

Nuria

Nuria Escofet

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