Mas del Serral

Mas del Serral, produced by Vins Pepe Raventós in Penedes, Spain, is known for complex, traditionally-made sparkling wines that rival established Cava producers in finesse and age-worthiness. The estate combines heritage winemaking with careful vineyard work across multiple terroirs in Catalonia, releasing both benchmark sparkling expressions and distinctive still whites that reflect the region's Mediterranean character and continental altitude effects.

About Mas del Serral

Vins Pepe Raventós operates across the Penedes appellation and surrounding Catalonian regions, working vineyards that range across different microclimates and soil compositions. The producer specializes in white and sparkling wines, drawing on both native Catalan varieties and heritage grapes suited to the region's geography. The Penedes region itself sits in a transition zone between Mediterranean coastal influences and continental mountain effects, allowing for the cultivation of grapes with both ripeness and natural acidity—essential qualities for the complexity the house achieves in its sparkling wines.

The producer's approach emphasizes traditional methods in sparkling production: the wines are made as complex, age-worthy expressions rather than simple aperitifs. The 2012, 2013, and 2014 vintages of Mas del Serral demonstrate this commitment, each scoring consistently in the 94–95 point range across multiple critics including Robert Parker The Wine Advocate (95–96 points), Tim Atkin (95–96 points), and Guia Penin (95–96 points). These are wines built for cellaring, with the structure and acidity to develop over years. Beyond sparkling, the estate produces distinctive still whites from Xarel·lo, Malvasia, and other native varieties that showcase the mineral and tropical characteristics of Penedes fruit. The 2023 Xarel·lo de la Vinya del Noguer Alt scored 92 points from Guia Penin, while the 2023 Malvasia de Sitges Vinya de la Plana reached 90–92 points, indicating a consistent quality across the range. The producer also works with Trousseau (Bastardo), a red variety, in wines like the 2022 Bastard Negre de les Terrasses del Serral, extending the portfolio beyond whites and sparkling.

Mas del Serral Wines in Our Collection

The core of the collection centers on the house's flagship sparkling expressions: the 2014 Mas del Serral (95 points, Robert Parker and Hudin.com), the 2013 Mas del Serral (96 points, Robert Parker and Hudin.com; 96 points, Tim Atkin), and the 2012 Mas del Serral (95 points, Robert Parker; 96 points, Guia Penin). All three offer complex, traditional Cava-style character—choose the 2014 if you want a wine approaching peak drinkability now, or the 2012 if you prefer more evolution and developed tertiary notes. For still whites, the 2023 Xarel·lo de la Vinya del Noguer Alt (92 points, Guia Penin) is a tropical, balanced white ideal for immediate drinking, while the 2023 Malvasia de Sitges Vinya de la Plana (90–92 points) offers similar freshness with slightly rounder fruit. The 2022 Bastard Negre de les Terrasses del Serral (85 points, Jancis Robinson) provides a red option for those seeking something less common from the producer—a rich, intense expression of this heritage Catalan grape.

Food Pairing

The sparkling wines pair naturally with seafood and shellfish—oysters, scallops, and white fish preparations benefit from the wines' acidity and complexity. The still whites work equally well: the Xarel·lo suits lighter fish dishes, soft cheeses, and vegetable-forward cooking, while the Malvasia's tropical weight matches stone fruits, almond-based desserts, and richer poultry dishes. The Bastard Negre, with its intensity, pairs with cured meats, darker poultry, and dishes with earthy mushrooms or tomato-based sauces.

How do Mas del Serral sparkling wines compare to standard Cava?

They are made using traditional methods with emphasis on complexity and age-worthiness rather than simplicity. Scores from Robert Parker (95–96 pts) and Guia Penin (95–96 pts) reflect their quality tier above mainstream Cava.

Which Mas del Serral vintage should I buy now?

The 2014 (95 pts) is approaching peak drinkability. The 2012 (96 pts, Guia Penin) has more tertiary development. Both are excellent; choose based on whether you want freshness or maturity.

Are Mas del Serral still whites worth trying alongside the sparkling?

Yes. The 2023 Xarel·lo (92 pts, Guia Penin) and Malvasia (90–92 pts) showcase the producer's skill with native varieties and offer good value relative to the sparkling range.

Who makes Mas del Serral wines?

Vins Pepe Raventós produces Mas del Serral in Penedès, Catalonia, Spain. The producer operates vineyards across the region's varied microclimates and terroirs, combining heritage winemaking with careful vineyard work.

What style of wine does Mas del Serral make?

Mas del Serral specializes in complex, traditionally-made sparkling wines and distinctive still whites from native Catalan varieties like Xarel·lo and Malvasia. The 2014 sparkling scored 95 points; still whites like the 2023 Xarel·lo scored 92 points.

How much does Mas del Serral wine cost?

Mas del Serral wines range between £29.30 and £140.20. Still whites start around £29–£31; the flagship sparkling expressions are £137–£140.