The Grenache varietal is part of the history of Parés Baltà, where we have been cultivating this vine for centuries. We traditionally had a lot of Grenache and Sumoll vineyards in the Penedès, but when the 19th century the plague of Phylloxera struck they were erased from landscape. Only a few vineyards survived. The majority were replaced by white grape varieties, because farmers were getting a better price.
In the 50s and 60s, some years after this tragedy, farmers thought about cultivating some red grapes again. Many people planted French varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot or Pinot Noir, as these varietals were very appreciated worldwide.
Despite that, at Parés Baltà we felt nostalgic. For this reason Joan Cusiné Hill, the grandfather, who in his childhood had heard about Grenache vineyards in Penedès, decided to recover the Grenache variety. He had the desire of returning to our roots. So, in the mid 70s he planted 3 fields of Grenache in Cal Miret, near Sant Martí Sarroca. It is from here that we get the Hisenda Miret wine.
Some years later, Joan Cusiné Cusiné, son of Joan Cusiné Hill, also fell in love with the results that this variety was giving to the family, and so he planted even more fields of Grenache… but this time, on the top of the mountains! Everybody thought that he must be crazy. But Joan Cusiné Cusiné was undeterred. He was looking for a fresher and more unique Grenache. In the end, time proved him right. The family got what they desired: a Grenache with greater freshness and better expressions of fruit than the vineyards situated on even highest estates. With these grapes we proudly make our Indigena Red, Indigena White and Indigena Rosé.
Maria Elena Jiménez and Marta Casas, the winemakers of Parés Baltà, explain that Grenache is a delicate variety. As it blooms early, the spring frosts could damage the flowers. When is véraison season, the winemakers made the green harvest. It consists of pruning some grapes and leaving them to fall on the soil to get reducing the quantity of the grapes and improve the quality of them.
Grenache is one of the last grapes that we pick. When we just picked we take fast to the cellar because the grapes could oxidize early. It’s a complicated variety, but we love the result! The wines that we make with Grenache are a little spicy with a lot of fruit, really easy to enjoy.
These are the wines that we make with Grenache:
- Hisenda Miret
A pure garnatxa from Penedès. The fruit of the ancient estate of Hisenda Miret. A rare garnatxa from Penedès that surprises with its attractive elegance and sweet, rich sensation. Vivid red tinges reflecting the colour of the fruit. The nose is explosively intense and fresh. Aromatically complex with floral notes, creaminess and notes of forest fruits. The intensity of the fruit continues on the palate; leaving traces of spice and lightly toasted notes. The balance and straightforwardness are the main characters of the wine. The structure surprises with a long aftertaste and a harmonious finish. The wine’s originality is invitingly enjoyable. - Rosa Cusiné
The rosy essence of the creamy ageing.The Garnatxa Negra (Red Grenache), under the influence of the microclimate and terroir of the high mountains of Penedès, is worked into a rosé cava in order to recover one of our local varieties. It becomes a unique synergy of elegance, structure and silkiness. Dedicated to the work of a lifetime, to the wisdom, energy and vitality of Grandma Rosa. Subtle rose colour with a salmon rim. Tiny bubbles that burst into delicate, yet complex notes of dried and jammy fruits. On the palate, energetic and creamy with well integrated gas, reminiscent of ripe and jammy fruits, finishing with a great structure. - Indigena negre
Pure Garnatxa bursting with personality. Produced from young vines from the high mountains of Pontons. A native Penedes Garnatxa, fresh & greedy, just as it was in the days of our ancestors. Vivid red and maroon shades reflecting the color of the fruit. In the nose explode with intensity and freshness. Complex aroma with floral fragrances, creamy notes and wild fruit. Demonstrated the importance of fruit also in the mouth. Leaving subtle hints of spice and hints of toasted, being the protagonists, balance and openness. Surprise its structure and long aftertaste, getting a good final assembly. Originality invited to taste it. - Indigena blanc
A Surprising White Grenache. The true expression of freshness and altitude of the White Garnatxa from our Pontons estate is combined with the work in the cellar to extract its full potential. The flowers and the white fruit complement each other with the citric and creamy notes from the contact with the lees during various months of battonage. Delicate balance between freshness and smoothness. - Indigena rosat
A garnatxa with the color of the roses. The freshness from the Foix mountains and a light maceration of the ripe garnatxa grapes are the key of this very special rosé, smooth, lively and elegant. The paleness in colour contrasts with the fruit intensity on nose and mouth.
