A TRIBUTE TO THE DARING SPIRIT OF OUR ANCESTORS, VINE-GROWERS SINCE 1551, AND THE VOLUNTEER EXPEDITION

THAT FOUNDED THE MISSION OF SAN FRANCISCO.

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BRUT CAVA

History

In the 1970’s, as Champagne sought to control the use of their geographical name, Spain adopted the CAVA name and has distinguished the Spanish sparkling industry from their counterparts to the north. Through numerous innovations both in the vineyards and in their cellars, CAVA producers have flourished. Using native grapes, grown in ideal conditions with consistent quality from vintage to vintage, CAVA now, all these years after Josep’s first production, is among the most important sparkling wines in the world.  

Original preserved document dates back to 1551

sparkling wine made in the “French” or “Champagne” method. In 1872, Josep Raventós released the first commercial production of CAVA and a dynasty as well as a whole new wine industry was born. Today, nearly 150 years later, this family, with nearly 300 hundred shareholding members, still dominates in Cava production.  

The Raventós family lays claim to the oldest family run vineyards in the world, established in 1551, when Jaume Codorníu settled on land in Sant Sadurni in Catalonia, west of Barcelona. This land had been handed down through generations when Miguel Raventós and Maria Anna Codorníu married in 1659. Since that year, title for the winery and vineyards has been in the Raventós name. Seven generations later, in the 1860’s, Josep Raventós, a well-known pioneer in the industry, working with Francesc Gil, Agusti Vilaret at the Catalan Institute of Agriculture at San Isidro, created the first Spanish CAVA Champagne

A Modern sparkling wine that represents The tradition of the past,

and the strength of family.  

Ramón Raventós Cava

Having literally grown up in the family’s vineyards, Ramón Raventós left the famous winery with his father and set out to build a new, modern wine company for the 21st century. In addition to award winning wineries in Montsant, Alella, Rioja and Ribera del Duero, Ramón owns three separate cava cellars, including the spectacular new facility, The Montargull Estate, Avinyonet del Penedés, in the shadow of Montserrat. Equipped with the most up to date technology, Ramón Raventós Cavas are made to Ramon’s exacting standards, resulting in the highest quality Cavas with a personality all of their own. With Ramón’s lifetime of learning and growing in the industry, he operates on some very firm philosophies:

OUR OBSESSION IS THE NEED TO IMPROVE,

HARVEST AFTER HARVEST.

THE BEST VINEYARDS AREN’T INHERITED.

YOU HAVE TO FIND THEM AND MAKE THEM GROW.

WE ASSUME OUR RESPONSIBILITY AS

CREATORS OF CULTURE AND SENSATIONS.

WE INTERPRET NATURE,

WE DON’T TRY TO DOMINATE IT.

Ramón Raventós is hard at work on his plan to produce only organic wines from sustainably farmed vineyards within three years. He believes that this is the only way to operate in the future and he is not shy about innovating and leading the way in Spain to blaze this path.

Taste the History of the Future!

A Rare and Unique Heritage

In 1769, The Free Company of Volunteers of Catalonia (four officers and 100 enlisted men) participated in the Portola Expedition that established San Diego, Monterrey and San Francisco, among other missions. Among these volunteers, was an ancestor of Ramón Raventós (of the same name), who, accepting the reality of the era whereby Catalan fathers passed all of their wealth to their eldest son (which Ramon was not), joined the Free Company of Volunteers of Catalonia and boarded a ship for “New Spain.”

From 1520 -1785, Spain’s national symbol was the Spanish Cross of Burgundy Flag. It was carried by Portola and Father Junipero Serra on their famous land exploration of California which resulted in the founding of so many famous and still flourishing California Missions (many of which are now major cities). There were different versions of the flag whose design represents crossed branches with bases of limbs which have been cut off. The most famous version is the red diagonal cross on a white background. The flag’s history extends beyond the historic expeditions in California as it is said to have flown over a number of American Colonies during the American Revolution, including Florida and Georgia (Spain was an Ally to America) Today, it is represented in the monument of “The Twelve Flags” flying daily on State Street in Santa Barbara, CA.

The Free Company of Volunteers of Catalonia participated in the Portolá Expedition that established San Diego, Monterey and San Francisco among other

missions, 1769 (Image: San Francisco Bay Discovering Site)

The Burgundy Cross Still flies today. “The Twelve Flags”, Stearn's Wharf,

Santa Barbara CA.. Map of NEW SPAIN, 1551

“Plus Ultra” The National Motto of Spain Meaning “Further Beyond”

Paying Homage in the 21st Century

“The release of Ramón Raventós Cava is a deeply personal story. It represents a commitment to quality, being a caretaker of the land, proudly representing my family history in winemaking, the American Dream and the tie between my family and America and to the spirit of “Plus Ultra” – the Spanish Motto meaning, Further, Beyond.” – Ramón Raventós

“For these reasons we have chosen the Burgundy Cross as our imagery as it represents the connection to CAVA making, America, the Raventós Family and our Pioneering Spirit.”