Nuria Renom
Penedès

Nuria Renom has a smile and personality that fills a room.

Born in Argentina, her family moved to Spain when she was a child. A gap year during veterinary studies at university took her to Italy where a passion for wine took hold and her career path would change.

The pivotal moment for Nuria was to be when she became head sommelier at Bar Brutal in 2013. As Barcelona’s first natural wine bar, it is the venue that has changed and shaped the current Spanish wine scene. Nuria held this position for 6 years, and it was here that I first met her in 2014.

Her winemaking experience began in 2014 when she spent several years working in the vineyards and cellar with Massimo Marchiori at Partida Creus. A thirst for knowledge has taken her to harvest in Australia with James Erskine at Jauma and the following year in Georgia with John Wurderman. To Canada and Chile, as well as Sanlucar with good friend Fernando Angulo.

In 2016 she began renting a small parcel of vines in the Garraf National Park, 5 kms from the ocean. She made one cuvee that year, La Maca Beu Pet Nat, approximately 150 bottles. The path has been little by little, and not without its challenges including the owner taking back her little plot in Garraf. In 2018 she established long term relationships with Toni Carbo and Ton Rimbau (Porcellanic), two growers whom she still works with today for their old vine Xarello.

Which brings us to 2021 when this nomadic and curious soul finds a vineyard of her own. Together with her partner Arola, they purchased the Can Barcelo farmhouse in Sant Martí Sarroca, a hidden valley of Alt Penedes, and created ‘Les Cantarelles'. 

The property has 16 hectares of vines. Nuria farms eight, the remaining eight are rented to local vignerons who were already working the vines. At 420 meters altitude, the vineyards form a mosaic of small plots. The soil is rocky limestone clay, north facing terraces are surrounded by a forest. 

Under vine is 10ha of Parellada and 4ha of Macabeu, rounded out with Ull de Lebre (Tempranillo) and Chardonnay. Ranging in age from 17 years through to 70-year-old Macabeu, now given a new voice.

The fruit is vinified at a nearby winery, a shared space for several small vignerons.

From 150 bottles in 2016 to 2021 and the first vintage of Les Cantarelles where Nuria produced 20,000 bottles, there is one constant, the essence of the wine being expressive and free.