Producer Focus – Vallformosa

Choose three words to describe this Cava producer?

We’d go for: Innovative, Energetic and Engaged.  

Not necessarily what you might expect from an historic Spanish winery that traces its lineage back to 1865. The name Vallformosa comes from the Catalan meaning ‘beautiful valley’, alluding to the location of the farmhouse that now stands at the centre of the winery’s headquarters in Vilobí del Penedès.  

Vallformosa is a major Cava producer, currently ranking fourth in total volume, though significantly smaller than the top three. Its business model relies almost entirely on grapes sourced from over 400 growers in the region (more on that later). And therein lies the unique appeal – its size allows for diverse range of styles whilst promoting a nimble and proactive approach. CEO Marta Vidal, herself a pioneer in this very traditional industry, embodies this progressive mindset in the way she leads the business.

Innovative

Vallformosa demonstrated its daring streak from an early age, establishing a pioneering nursery of disease-resistant American vine rootstocks to help regenerate Spain’s vineyards after the phylloxera outbreak in the late 1800s. In more recent times, the winery has branched into new areas – enter alcohol-free sparkling wines, still wines from regional denominations, alternative formats, and even the production of a local Vermouth. Then there’s their approach to sustainable practices, which has become a beacon for other wineries to follow. 

Energetic

The company slogan ‘Everyday Extraordinary’ highlights a simple fact – Cava is a wine with a complex production process, yet it retains an ‘everyday’ price point. It also informs the company’s market activity, with a focus on pure fun, exemplified by the Solo Vida Cava partnership with world famous dance festival Tomorrowland and the Blue Fin Cava project, created in collaboration with a group of sommeliers and chefs including Albert Adrià. There has even been talk of midsummer techno parties in the vineyards of the +500. What happens in Penedès, stays in Penedès… 

Engaged

It’s hard not to overstate the significance of what Marta Vidal and team have accomplished in sustainability, culminating in their B Corp certification in April 2024 – the first Spanish winery to achieve this accreditation. There is a constant drive for improvement in all areas of the business, with a strong focus on environmental impact. The winery has a zero-waste target, an on-site water treatment plant, and relies on solar energy at certain times of the year.  

What sets this producer apart is its concerted effort to unite its 400+ growers, spread across the region, into a fully-fledged community. Named the ‘Growers Club’, this initiative provides an official network of support, advice and idea-sharing, leading to long term partnerships that help sustain local communities. The success of this concept has even led to smaller offshoots.  The +500 Club, for example, is a collective of growers based in zones with vineyards above 500m in altitude. Grapes from these higher areas contribute to both the premium Cava and still wine ranges, such as Cultivare.  In the end, all of these elements are interwoven into one defining whole: Vallformosa – a business which places utmost importance on its people and its environment. A model of good practice for all of us.