Naveran

Cavas Naveran sits at Masia Can Parellada, in Torrelavit in Alt Penedès - a centuries-old estate with an 11th-century Romanesque chapel on the property. The winemaking foundation was laid by Don Pablo Parellada de Naveran in the late 19th century; the modern commercial house 'Cavas Naveran' was set up in 1984 by his grandson Michel Gilleron Parellada de Naveran, who still owns it. Day-to-day work is now led by the next generation of the Parellada family.

Around 100 to 110 hectares of vines, terraces and woodland on a single estate in the heart of Alt Penedès, clay-limestone on the slopes with sandy-limestone lower down. The variety set is the Penedès classic - Macabeo, Xarel·lo, Parellada - alongside Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, plus smaller plantings of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and Viognier. The whole farm is certified organic.

Classification: still DO Cava. Naveran has not joined either of the Penedès breakaway groups (Corpinnat or Clàssic Penedès) and continues to bottle under the Cava designation.

The range. The flagship is Perles Roses, a Brut Rosé Reserva of 100% Pinot Noir aged around 24 months on lees. Perles Blanques (Cuvée Antonia) is the Brut Reserva, Pinot-led blanc de noirs with a Chardonnay supporting voice (the producer no longer publishes a fixed grape split; recent listings hint at roughly 85% Pinot Noir to 15% Chardonnay). Dama is the still Chardonnay under DO Penedès. Around those sit an estate Brut Nature Vintage (Macabeo / Xarel·lo / Parellada with Chardonnay), Brut Vintage and Brut Vintage Rosé, Perles d'Or, Odisea and Manuela. Traditional method throughout, long lees, dry and fruit-forward - the Pinot Noir and Chardonnay give a more Champagne-oriented register than most Cava houses hold to.