Can Sumoi: Unveiling the Magic of Penedès Wines.
What if we told you that less than an hour’s drive from Barcelona, in the Penedès region, you’ll find a unique place where wines are produced that excite your senses? Hidden and surrounded by nature, where you can only breathe pure air, where cell phone connections are lost, where your hair gets messy from the gentle winds that constantly blow, and where the sky seems to grow larger and bluer than before…
This place exists, and it is called ‘Can Sumoi’.
One of our writers, Inma Muñoz, had the pleasure of visiting Can Sumoi for “A Day with Friends”—friends who work in the wine industry from various European countries. This large group of specialists shares a common love for the wines produced by Pepe Raventós and his team.
Come, discover and enjoy Can Sumoi with us!
The Can Sumoi Estate
Can Sumoi, Casa del Sumoll, or House of Sumoll (translated from Catalan, the official language spoken in this area of Spain), is an agricultural estate steeped in history, located just over 600 meters above sea level. It was discovered by Pepe Raventós in 2017.
Pepe, a winemaker, visionary, and expert in the field, along with a team of local winegrowers and connoisseurs of the area, set out to breathe new life into this fertile land by restoring its abandoned vineyards. “It is the dream of a personal wine project to enhance the value of a variety that can stand on par with the great red grape varieties of the world, in the Penedès terroir,” says Pepe.
The variety he is referring to is, of course, Sumoll. “It is a grape with amazing potential, as it possesses the fresh vintage pH of Burgundy and the tannin level of a Nebbiolo from Barolo.” At Can Sumoi, alongside Sumoll, you will also find other varieties such as Parellada (Montónega), Xarel·lo, Garnatxa Negra, and Garnatxa Blanca.
Workshops of the Day
Climbing up a dusty path, charmed by the scent of pine trees, we cross fields planted with oats. Oats? Yes, to attract the rural “predators” (wild boars and deer) that stealthily wander through the cultivated areas, preventing them from approaching the vineyards and damaging the vines. This practice promotes biodiversity, one of the many enriching aspects of this fascinating project.
Another important aspect is the reconstruction of dry-stone enclosures. These small structures are built stone by stone without any binding elements. In the past, they served as shelters from the rain or storage spaces for food by passing farmers. The dry-stone blends seamlessly with the landscape, becoming an indisputable part of it in this area. In the picture, you can see how we helped to build one of these “dry stones.”
Accompanied only by the singing of birds, we move forward through steep terrain until we reach a plot that showcases another key aspect of their philosophy: working with animal traction. This fantastic fieldwork, done as the ancestors did, involves plowing the fields with the help of mules. Though it was not easy, we can proudly say that we contributed to tilling the plot where the queen variety, which gives the winery its name, “Sumoll,” is planted. We also realized that this grape, which was the past, will be the future of this area.
At that moment, before moving forward, we paused for a few minutes to absorb the magical energy pulsing through this corner of the estate. Speechless.
Not far from this plot, with the majestic Casa already visible in the distance, we continued our walk. There was still one more aspect to explore: green pruning. After the pleasant and instructive guidance from David (field manager) and Joan (winemaker), we began the process. This technique promotes the healthy growth of the vine and ensures better quality grapes.
We continued ascending through this terrain until we reached the top of the Serra de L’Home, an area renowned for its natural beauty. With the bright sun of a lovely sunset and sitting with breathtaking views over this idyllic landscape, we were ready to taste three wines from our host and his team.
Tasting with a View
As Pepe affirms before the tasting, “A significant aspect of our project at Can Sumoi is that we are situated in a unique geological unit with an ecosystem capable of producing unrepeatable wines.”
This location boasts a Mediterranean mountain climate with predominantly calcareous soils, which were underwater millions of years ago. These soils allow for good drainage and add a touch of elegance to the wines. Among the winery’s 20 hectares of vineyards, there are also areas with clay soils, rich in nutrients and minerals. With all these characteristics, and guided by the philosophy of “recovering a lost past,” natural high-altitude wines are produced—wines with minimal intervention from the field to the cellar, based on biodynamic viticulture. These wines truly express the terroir from which they come.
We begin by tasting “Mas del Serral,” a sparkling wine made from the Xarel·lo variety with a small percentage of Bastard Negre, all from the Clos del Serral plot, at an altitude of around 175 meters, on the Raventós i Blanc estate. This sparkling wine from 2013 is 11 years old and still maintains tremendous freshness!
We continue the tasting with two wines made from the recovered red variety, Sumoll: Can Sumoi Sumoll 2019 and 2021.
Both vintages have a pleasant acidity that gives them a distinct personality, as well as freshness and vivacity. In Sumoll 2019, this acidity is calmer and more refined, while in Sumoll 2021, it is still developing. The wines exhibit notes of fresh red fruit, Mediterranean spices, light touches of wood, and some minerality. The tannins in Sumoll 2021 are still a bit untamed. These are elegant and delicate wines.
Dinner Time
It is getting dark and we head out to enjoy a dinner served in the heart of the property. We pass through a path lined with lush olive trees that guide us the way to the highest part of the estate, where we find the abandoned houses, rustic stables and the old farmer’s bodega dating back to 1645.
Along the way we find mint, rosemary, lavender that merge with the olive trees, cereals and vines forming the Mediterranean trilogy, where “the authentic is the natural”.
With our shoes still dirty from working in the field and wearing a jacket due to the dropping temperatures, we sit at the long table to enjoy a nice dinner that starts with the typical bread with tomato, virgin olive oil, salt and (serrano) ham, a typical Catalan bite that is finger-licking good.
Dinner is paired with the beautiful wines from Can Sumoi:
- Ancestral Montònega NV (sparkling wine, 100% Montònega, Parellada)
- 2023 La Rosa (rose wine, Sumoll & Xarel.lo)
- 2023 Xarel.lo (white wine)
- 2023 Garnatxa Blanca (white wine)
- 2022 Garnatxa & Sumoll (red wine)
Having understood their vision for winemaking and witnessed the unconditional love that Pepe and his team have for this place where their raw material—the grapes—is born and grows, the wines taste even better tonight.
The Unforgettable Journey at Can Sumoi
Our visit to Can Sumoi has been an unforgettable journey through the heart of the Penedès region, revealing the magic and dedication behind its exceptional wines. From the enchanting landscapes and historical vineyards to the meticulous biodynamic practices, every element of Can Sumoi speaks of a deep respect for nature and tradition.
Pepe Raventós and his team have not only revived an ancient estate but have also crafted wines that capture the essence of their unique terroir. Tasting the fruits of their labor, surrounded by the beauty and tranquility of the estate, has deepened our appreciation for their craft and their unwavering commitment to producing unrepeatable wines.
As we leave Can Sumoi, we carry with us the memories of a day filled with discovery, hard work, and the joy of savoring wines that truly express the soul of this remarkable place. It’s clear that Can Sumoi is more than just a winery; it’s a testament to the enduring legacy of Penedès winemaking and a beacon of biodynamic excellence. We invite you to discover and enjoy the magic of Can Sumoi for yourself.
To the team at Raventós: ¡Gràcies per tot!
This article is written by our own Inma Muñoz (@EigenwijNs). We would like to thank all the Can Sumoi team for the invitation and for sharing all their knowledge and their amazing experiences with us, in particular Francesc, Joan, David, Emma, Susana and Pepe.
The wines of Raventós, including Can Sumoi, are imported and distributed in the Netherlands by Vinites, and available through selected retail and hospitality partners.
