Joan Rubió is a romantic but, most importantly, he is a winegrower who is faithful to his origins and beliefs. He worked as technical director of Recaredo, and had Ton Mata as his teacher the whole time he was there. This gave him enough confidence to set up his own project with grapes from the family estate located in Santa Margarida i els Monjos, in the Penedès (Catalonia). With his wife Àngels they cultivate vineyards, grains and olive trees following the principles of organic and biodynamic agriculture, and they have created a small winery from spaces that were used as storage rooms.
If Joan Rubió learned one thing when he worked with Ton Mata at Recaredo, it was mastering the art of bubbles. That is why he has the confidence to make an ancient method sparking wine that expresses all the pleasure and spontaneity it deserves. Joan Rubió Ancestral Xarel·lo is made with the native Xarel·lo variety from old vines planted on clay-limestone soil. In the winery, the grapes are destemmed and macerated for about 7 days and they begin alcoholic fermentation with native yeasts in stainless steel tanks. Then, before fermentation has finished, it is bottled and remains on the lees for 14 months.
Joan Rubio's Ull de Llebre Tinto is a crunchy and mouthwatering take on Tempranillo. With this bottling, Spain’s favorite red grape is similar to Gamay, with tart red fruit, spice, and rocky minerality. At points both bright and supple, this ravenous red can be served with a slight chill for a hot afternoon on the porch.