France
Maninalto 2021 – Xarel·lo Skin-Contact
Vintage 2021 | Alella & Penedès, Catalonia | 100% Xarel·lo
The 2021 vintage of Maninalto was born in Catalonia through a special collaboration with Oriol Artigas—an extraordinary winemaker, team leader, and friend. Oriol's winery, nestled in the hills of Alella, just 30 minutes north of Barcelona, became the creative hub for this year’s wine.
Together, we travelled to Penedès, where Oriol’s long-time friend Sebastià farms organic vineyards with care and precision. The vision for this vintage was clear from the start: a 100% Xarel·lo, made with extended skin contact to express both the grape’s character and the winemaker’s hand. We selected a mature parcel perfect for long maceration—and let the process unfold, slowly and naturally.
Vinification
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Whole bunch maceration in stainless steel tank for 52 days
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Destemmed and pressed in mid-November
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Bottled in May 2022
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No mechanical interventions – no punch-downs, no pump-overs, no racking
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No added sulphites (clearly marked on label)
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Alcohol: 11%
Tasting Notes
This skin-contact Xarel·lo shows a luminous golden hue, more evocative of ripe, sun-soaked grapes than heavy extraction. On the nose, it opens with jasmine, citrus peel, and subtle herbal notes. The palate is vibrant and layered, with bright acidity, gentle tannins, and a clean, mineral finish.
Xarel·lo often leans toward reductive behavior in youth—so I chose to wait before release, allowing the wine to reveal its full expression with time and patience.
Maninalto Verso – Pet-Nat #GaillacEdition2
Vintage 2021 | Gaillac, South-West France | 100% Duras | Méthode Ancestrale
The 2021 vintage in Gaillac was a true test of patience and flexibility. A wet, cool summer brought its share of challenges, especially in fermentation. But sometimes, that’s where the best surprises come from.
Maninalto Verso was born from a spontaneous idea, a playful experiment with serious roots. Made from organic Duras grapes grown at Distillerie Cazottes, where I oversee winemaking, this pétillant naturel is my sparkling take on unpredictable conditions and joyful winemaking.
Vinification
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Grapes: 100% Duras (certified organic)
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Direct press into stainless steel
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Spontaneous fermentation, no added yeasts
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Bottled with 20 g/L of residual sugar to complete fermentation in bottle
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Disgorged in September 2022
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Unfiltered, unfined, no added sulfites
Tasting Notes
Bright, lively, and slightly wild, Maninalto Verso opens with vibrant bubbles and aromas of red currants, blood orange, and pink peppercorn. On the palate, it’s fresh, dry, and energetic, with a light funk and a tangy finish that invites the next sip.
This is a pét-nat made with joy, not perfection. It’s all about character, spontaneity, and having a bit of fun with serious fruit.
