Esteve i Gibert
Josep Esteve, Laura Esteve, and Albert Lopez
Esteve i Gibert Viticultores has been producing wine for eight generations on their farm in the sub-zone of Les Muntanyes d’Ordal. Their Masia (big farm house), called “Cal Panxa,” boasts over 100 years of winemaking history. Here, altitude is 320m above sea level. From their vineyards, you see the entire town of Sant Sadurni d’Anoia, as well as the holy mountain of “Montserrat."
In 1976, Esteve i Gibert family stopped making wines with their own grapes and focused on selling their fruit to big wineries in Penedès. At the time, the price of grapes was stable, and big wineries paid more respect to grape growers. However, shortly after their decision to sell, the price of grapes dropped significantly – and continued to do so. In 2009, the family made a decision. Josep Esteve, his daughter Laura, and his son-in-law Albert Lopez (winemaker) reopened the cellar of Masia Cal Panxa and started making wine again. The smallest winery in the D.O. Penedès was born.
Today, the family owns 19 hectares of vineyards that belong to the area of Massis (Massif) of L’Ordal. In the vines, the family follows organic farming regulations and uses only excellent quality grapes from the their very best plots for their wines (they continue to sell grapes that they do not use). Many of their vineyards are old and dedicated to indigenous grapes, such as Xarel.lo, Macabeo, Sumoll Blanc, and Sumoll Negre.
Esteve i Gibert’s ethos is based on respect, conscious farming, and passion for nature. Their natural savoir-faire and tradition of winemaking passed through eight generations make them one of the most exciting growers in eastern Spain today. Albert, the youngest generation, brings a modern interpretation of nature and their terroir.