Our Origins
BACKGROUND
In the late 19th century, the phylloxera plague devastated the entire viticultural area of Europe. In Sarral specifically, it affected around 1,000 hectares of vineyards, creating a critical situation for local agriculture. The solution to phylloxera was the replanting of grafted vines using American rootstocks, which proved more resistant to the pest. The main consequence of the phylloxera crisis was the emergence of new cooperative wineries throughout the region.
FOUNDING OF THE AGRICULTURAL SYNDICATE
In 1907, the Agricultural Workers’ Society of the town of Sarral was established. Later, in 1913, it was renamed the Agricultural Syndicate of Sarral. It was made up of 103 members, who themselves built the cooperative winery.
FOUNDING OF THE WINEGROWERS’ SYNDICATE
A progressive group of landowners founded a new cooperative syndicate called the Winegrowers’ Syndicate of Sarral, made up of 138 founding members.
CONSTRUCTION OF THE MODERNIST WINERY
The founders of the Winegrowers’ Syndicate of Sarral approved the construction of a new winery with modernist architecture.
The project was commissioned to Pere Domènech i Roura, and later the writer Àngel Guimerà described it as the Cathedral of Wine because of its aesthetics, architecture, and dimensions.
SECOND WAREHOUSE OF THE WINERY
The expansion of the winery of the Winegrowers’ Syndicate was carried out through the construction of a new building parallel to the existing one.
The architect of this new winery was Ricard Pagès, who continued the architectural style of Domènech.
MERGER OF THE SYNDICATES
They joined forces to strengthen ties, gain economic advantages, and bring together all the farmers of Sarral into a single entity called the Sarral Wine Cooperative.
PRODUCTION OF SPARKLING WINE AND WINES
The decision to bottle wines and cavas was a response to the members’ vision of creating added value and continuing to invest in infrastructure aimed at improving product quality. In 1982, the governing board, together with Vicente Garcia, the cooperative’s oenologist, decided to embark on the cava production venture, starting with an initial batch of 15,000 bottles.
CONSTRUCTION OF THE FIRST CAVA
After the experience of the first two years of cava production, it was decided to build the first cellar for bottle aging.
This milestone is highlighted as a turning point due to the members’ commitment to innovation, bottled products, and the Portell brand.
HIRD WAREHOUSE OF THE WINERY
Over the years, two factors were key in the decision to construct a new winery.
The first was the increased grape production by the members, due to a larger and more productive vineyard area.
Secondly, a greater variety of wines was being produced, aimed at higher-quality products to meet market demand.
CONSTRUCTION OF THE PICAIRE CAVA
Following the organic growth of the Cooperative and in response to the increasing demand for our cavas, a new cellar was inaugurated in 2019 in the Picaire area, where approximately 3,000,000 bottles of cava are aged. For our members, it was essential that these facilities reflect the cooperative’s expertise, focused on product respect and sustainability. Therefore, on one hand, the production processes were modernized while preserving the artisanal quality of our cavas. On the other hand, photovoltaic panels were installed, allowing us to operate with a significant share of green energy.
