Hey guys!
This week we have a harvest recap from Catalonia, a stop at a restaurant every wine lover should know, and a spotlight on a winemaker shaping the region’s future. Hope you enjoy 🍷
Plus: More Wine Club Info Below 👇🍷📦
Recapping Wine Harvest in Catalonia 🧑🌾 🍇
Grapes, community, and the lessons I carried home from a week in the vines
Last week, I had the chance to work a wine harvest in Catalonia with a small winery in Santes Creus called La Rural. The winemakers, brothers Andreu and Xavi Padró, launched La Rural in 2018. Both had left behind careers (one in mechanics, the other in architecture) only to be pulled into Catalonia’s growing natural wine scene, inspired by figures like Oriol Artigas and Laureano Serres. What began humbly in the basement of their family home has since evolved into a full-blown operation, though still very much guided by a minimal intervention approach.
Pictured: Andreu and Xavi Padró
The way I linked up with them was pretty serendipitous. My friends David and Zoe, who run a wine bar in Manhattan called BabySips, have worked with La Rural for a few years now. When they mentioned they’d be heading back for harvest, I figured it was the perfect opportunity to tag along and explore a wine region I didn’t know much about firsthand.
The first few days were spent harvesting Muscat of Alexandria. La Rural has just over a hectare of these vines, so it took time to get through them, moving row by row in the Catalan sun.
What I found especially interesting was how they processed the Muscat differently each day; some grapes were pressed, some destemmed, others left for carbonic maceration. One day, we helped with a semi-carbonic batch by foot stomping the grapes in a large tub before adding more whole clusters on top and sealing it with plastic.
After two days of that, we moved on to Sumoll, an old Catalan variety that we picked from a nearly 100 year old vineyard. For me, this was one of the highlights of the trip. The old vines are incredible to look at; gnarled and twisted like little bonsai trees, each one carrying just a few clusters of grapes.
The final leg of harvest took us in two directions: back to La Rural to pick Malvasia, and then to nearby Oriol Artigas, where we helped with his Pansa Blanca (also known as Xarel-lo).
By the end of the week, I came away with a much deeper appreciation for what goes into a bottle of wine. Every step of the process like pruning, harvesting, and cellar work requires long hours, constant decisions, and a close relationship with the land. It’s striking how much labor and care are behind each bottle, and it’s honestly a miracle that natural wine isn’t more expensive given the amount of work involved.
Pictured: Old Sumoll Vines
This experience reaffirmed to me that wine isn’t just something to drink, it’s the result of farming, tradition, and dedication carried through by the people who make it. Huge thank you to La Rural, Oriol, and everyone else who made this harvest season so special.
Villa Mas: A Wine Lover’s Paradise in Costa Brava ☀🌊
Why this restaurant is one of the best places to drink wine in the world
When I mentioned to friends that I was heading to Catalonia for harvest, one recommendation came up again and again: make time for Restaurant Villa Mas in Costa Brava. Now, Costa Brava is about an hour and a half north of Barcelona, and I was based in Santes Creus, already an hour south of the city. With only one free day (a Sunday) before flying back to New York early Monday morning, I couldn’t help but ask: is it really worth the hassle of renting a car, driving the coast, and booking a hotel just for a restaurant? The answer I got was an unwavering yes.
Pictured: Costa Brava
So why this restaurant in particular? For one, it’s perched right on the Mediterranean, with a huge outdoor patio just steps from the beach, like you can literally see the ocean from your table. The food is as fresh and seasonal as it gets: seafood pulled straight from the nearby sea, fruits and vegetables from their own garden out back. But what truly sets Villa Mas apart is the wine list. I’m not exaggerating when I say it’s the most impressive list I’ve ever seen. It’s not just the depth (every bottle you could dream of seems to be there) it’s also the prices, which are so affordable you’ll double check for a typo. The combination of breadth, access, and value makes Villa Mas something close to mythical for wine lovers.
Pictured: Restautant Villa Mas
With all of that in mind, I ended up making the pilgrimage on my last day abroad. My plan was to drive up solo and enjoy a long lunch, but when I mentioned it to the crew I was harvesting with, the winemaker, Oriol Artigas, suggested turning it into a celebration of the near end of harvest. Suddenly, what was meant to be a quiet afternoon turned into a table of twelve, all buzzing with excitement to eat and drink.
Pictured: Wine Lineup at Villa Mas
In hindsight, I’m glad it worked out this way, it meant I got to taste much more of what Villa Mas had to offer. After a long afternoon of food and bottles, I stumbled across the street, swam in the Mediterranean, and laid on the sand before heading back for dinner (as friends had insisted I must).
Villa Mas is one of those special places where setting, food, wine, and atmosphere all come together seamlessly. If you ever find yourself in Barcelona with a free day, do whatever it takes to get there. I promise you won’t regret it.
Producer Highlight ⭐
One of our favorite parts of wine is the discovery: we’re constantly being put on to new regions, producers, and cuvées from our friends. We’ll never be able to try EVERY wine, but we want to take a moment to mention some producers that excite us!
La Furtiva - Oscar Navas Capilla🍷
Location: Terra Alta, Catalonia📍
Pictured: Terra Alta, Catalonia, Image by Wikipedia
Óscar Navas is one of the most intriguing young voices in Catalonia today. He worked at 4 Kilos Winery in Mallorca before branching out into multiple ventures; running a wine bar, working in shops, and eventually founding his own winery, La Furtiva, in Terra Alta. The project reflects both his roots and his experiments: native grapes farmed organically and biodynamically, long macerations in chestnut barrels, and extended aging that challenges conventional expectations of Catalan wine.
Pictured: Óscar Navas, Image by Racine Wines Co
Terra Alta is not an easy place to farm: arid soils, hot summers, and relentless wind make it a constant battle. Yet its unique soils give fruit a remarkable complexity. Here, Óscar tends old vines with regenerative and biodynamic principles, leaning on tradition while pushing for innovation. It’s a delicate balance: capturing the raw fruit character of the region while crafting wines built to endure.
Pictured: La Furtiva Wines, Image by La Furtiva
In the cellar, his approach is minimal but exacting: direct pressing, fermentations with native yeast, short macerations, and long élevage in old oak or chestnut. Nothing is fined or filtered, and sulfur is added only sparingly at bottling. The results are wines that feel alive; bright and juicy, layered and earthy, with a depth that speaks both to land and history.
Pitcured: La Furtiva at Gresca in Barcelona
I first heard about La Furtiva through their U.S. importer, Tom Stelle of Stelle Wine Co. His portfolio is almost entirely French and Italian, so seeing a single Iberian producer in the mix caught my attention. The first wine I tried was Óscar’s Punt Verd cuvée, and it was super impressive.
Fast forward to my recent trip to Barcelona, and I stumbled upon his wines again, this time at dinner at Gresca, one of the city’s best restaurants. We were blinded on his Terra Alta Blanc, a Grenache Blanc/Macabeu blend, and it was stunning: salty, tropical, and layered with wildflower notes. Two for two in my book, and that’s usually a sign of something special for me. If you come across La Furtiva, don’t hesitate, these are bottles worth seeking out.
Looks like Leon & Sons has some stocked if you want to try:
Upcoming Events
Smashed Burger Block Party 🍔🍷
If you’re in New York this Sunday, September 14th, come find us at the annual Smashed Burger Block Party in Williamsburg!
We’ll be pouring some wines to pair with some of the best burgers in the city. Tickets are below, use code VINO15 for a little discount!
Girls Who Meet Blind Wine Tasting Event 🫣🍷
On September 25th, we’ll be co-hosting a blind tasting wine event with the team from Girls Who Meet (@girlswhomeet)! Link for tickets are below if interested
Wine Club Info 🍷📦
Thanks so much for all the support with the club, we’re beyond excited to get things rolling! We’re finalizing the details, but you can expect the first shipment of wines to go out in late September. We’ll also be sharing more info on our feed soon, so stay tuned!
That’s it for today! Really appreciate you guys for being part of this community. Let us know if there’s anything you’d like us to cover next.
Thanks so much for reading along and and as always, drink responsibly 🥂