BODEGAS ABADAL - The footprint of Tradition & Authenticity

by kmsz
Jun 25, 2018
4 min read

BODEGAS ABADAL - Introduction

The stories of many of wineries go back to centuries. Abadal is not exception. The winery is owned by The Family Roqueta and its origin’s date goes back to the 12th Century however there are traces of wine – growing activities in the Roman area. There are two names we need to remember of Ramón Roqueta who was the main core of the Roqueta Wineries and Valenti Roqueta, his son, who would carry the tradition and the real image of the wineries. Over time, Ramón Roqueta Torrentó got involved in wine export at the beginning of the 1920’s. In 1928 he signed a contract to sell wine to Établissements Vidal from Saint Fons (Rhone, France) through the licensed representative Jaume Ristol. The French company bought 100 hogsheads of 11.5°–12° red wine at a price of 37 pesetas per hectolitre, which was loaded onto a Spanish gauge train for transfer at Cerbère (France). From 1923, he joined different wine merchants’ guilds and in this same year, he took over as president of the Guild of Wine and Licor Merchants of Manresa, holding the position until 1936.

“Valentí Roqueta was responsible for an affiliation with the Catalan Wine Growers’ Association (AVC) that would last until the present day. In 1973, his son Ramón Roqueta Roqueta joined the managing committee and chaired the association from 1999 to 2010. Ramon Roqueta would also go on to form part of different associations and entities in the world of wine, such as the Spanish Comercial Coding Association (AECOC), the Spanish Wine Association (ANEVI), the Foundation for Wine and Nutrition Research (FIVIN), among others.” According to the website.

As in many wineries they go through structural changes. In order to adapt to the new company structures which needed to be developed at the time and able to extend its business activities the company became Bodega Roqueta S.A (Societat Anónima) in 1973. It continued to be an entirely family –run company. The main core of the business at that time was bottling wine, which attracted different Spanish Cooperatives, in order to sell table wine under different brands and different styles. Sangria was also produced here among semi-sparkling wine and mineral water.

Valentí Roqueta Guillamet, son of Ramón Roqueta Roqueta, joined the company after studying oenology in France. He performed different tasks in the areas of sales, marketing and administration before taking over as managing director in 1982. His incorporation marked another stage of major entrepreneurial strength, in which the company extended exports, presented new products and promoted and adapted wine growing at the Masia. The new bottling plant of the Masies d’Avinyó-Abadal was opened, which included the latest technology in bottling. The recondition a number of wine huts (whose renovation received an award in 1997 in the competition organised by the Pla de Bages DO). The Catalan Regional Government awarded the winery the Placa de l’Agricultura Catalana (Seal of Catalan Agriculture). In 2006 the company opened its third wineries, LaFou Celler, located in Batea, in the heart of the Terra Alta DO and its fourth Bodegas Crin Roja started out at the beginning of 2008 in Fuente-Álamo in the province of Albacete, where it produces wines that fall under the Castilla Vino de la Tierra qualification.

Relatively is a small winery surprisingly offers more than any winery could. Bodegas Abadal believes in tradition and authenticity which takes us to the heart of Bages. The establishment offers different activities which is mainly related to wine but there are few exception. From tasting courses, guided tasting, simply visiting the winery or corporate events, to private request you name it all, they can accommodate any wishes. History meets presents and guide us simply through the vision of its future. Highly recommended.

"Tradition and hard work are the most important part of the winery"

WINES

ABADAL 3.5 : This beautiful red wine is made of two grape varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. The estate really define its identity and character. Fine and powerful wine gives not only complexity and typical characteristics of the grapes but also takes you a short journey to the black fruit carnival which walzes through in your mouth when you have a sip and touches your tasting buds. Appearance is deep purple with long legs, black fruits, black current, black cherry shine all the way through the nose, from medium to medium(+) in body and in alcohol with the similar tasting notes with a touch of balsamic. The wine ages 12 months on new cask giving enough time for the flavours to express their characteristics.

ABDAL PICAPOLL: Wow factors always start when you are not familiar with something or really take you by surprise. This white wine is made of Picapoll. a native grape variety which has been nearly forgotten. According to Berry Bros & Rudd " Picpoul can trace its history back to the 17th century when, along with Clairette, it was the basis of the then hugely popular Picardan that was exported from the Languedoc to Northern Europe. Its plantings dwindled after the onslaught of phylloxera at the end of the 19th century as growers resorted to hardier and more disease resistant grapes. The climate of the area is Mediterranean with continental influences, it is characterized by low rainfall and a large thermal contrasts between day and night. For the preparation of Abadal Picapoll a traditional fermentation takes place at low temperatures followed by maceration, the wine spends some times on lees for three months in stainless steel. Appearance is pale greenish colour, noticeable legs. Nose shows medium intensity with a presence of citrus and herbaceous, floral notes with a tiny touch of minerality. Fresh and delight. Medium(-) to medium alcohol level, acidity is sharp still, and fall into medium(-) surprisingly with a long finish.

How to get there: By car it takes only one hour to get to winery from Barcelona. If you decide to take the train. You need to go to Barcelona Sant. From Barcelona take the Train R4 to the direction to Vilafranca Del Penedès change at Martorell Central and take the train R5 to Manresa where several bus service available to the destination. Please check with the local transport provider. Taxi or private car hire are also available.