10 of february, 2026

Origin of Cava: Where Does Cava Come From?

15 Bodegas Editorial Team

Among the extensive and rich variety of wines that we have within our borders, there is one wine that stands out above the rest: cava, the only sparkling wine with a Designation of Origin in Spain. Despite being established in our country, cava has conquered palates and aroused the fascination of consumers around the world. It is present in more than 100 countries, proof of its international fame. If you've made it this far, it's clear that this drink also has a place in your heart, and you want to discover more about it. Have you ever wondered where it comes from, how it is made, or what its history is? In that case, uncork a bottle and make yourself comfortable to join us on this journey through the origin of cava.

Where is Cava From?

As we told you in the introduction, cava is a sparkling wine originating in Spain that is regulated by the Cava Denomination of Origin (D.O. Cava). Its history and production are indisputably linked to Catalonia, especially to the Penedés region, where most of the production of this beverage is obtained.

However, cava is not limited to a single region but is spread over four different areas of the country. In addition, as of 2020, the Cava Regulatory Board approved a new zoning system in which the origin of cavas is delimited in subzones. Thanks to this change, we know exactly where the cava is from.

Comtats de Barcelona

Located in the northeastern part of Catalonia, Comtats de Barcelona produces 95% of this beverage in Spain. Here are some of the most emblematic wineries in the production of cava, as is the case of Codorníu.

It is divided into the following subzones: Valls d’Anoia Foix, Serra de Mar, Conca del Gaià, Serra de Prades, and Pla de Ponent. In this context, the municipality of Sant Sadurní d'Anoia, considered the "capital of cava”, takes on special relevance. As we will see in the following sections, this region has played an essential role in the history of this sparkling wine.

Influenced by the Mediterranean Sea, the climate in Comtats de Barcelona has mild winters and warm summers, with moderate rainfall. These conditions favor an optimal ripening cycle for the grapes. This is an area with diverse microclimates, as well as a diversity of landscapes and altitudes, which is beneficial for developing different grape varieties.

Ebro Valley

Another place where cava comes from is the Ebro Valley. As you can guess from the name, the Ebro River has a great influence. However, it is still an inland territory, so the prevailing climate is a mixture of temperate and continental that offers quite intense temperatures, both in winter and summer.

The Ebro Valley has only two subzones. The Alto Ebro, an enclave presided over by mountain ranges and altitudes of up to 600 meters above sea level, and the Cierzo Valley. Here, the climate is much more continental, and there is also the Cierzo, a wind typical of the area that makes the environment drier.

Almendralejo Vineyards

La D.O. Cava extends into the province of Badajoz, in the municipality of Almendralejo. Geographically, Viñedos de Almendralejo is characterized by its flat relief and an average altitude between 200 and 450 meters above sea level. In terms of climate, the grapes enjoy a dry environment with mild winters, very hot summers, and the presence of a warm wind, the Solano.

Incidentally, as the climate and landscape are quite homogeneous throughout the territory comprising Viñedos de Almendralejo, there are no subzones in this area.

Requena

We finish with Requena, located in the interior of the province of Valencia. It is a very interesting area, since, being right between the Mediterranean Sea and the central plateau, it forms a small rounded plateau that, at its highest points, reaches 900 meters of altitude. It is also delimited by the Cabriel River and the Sierra de Mira.

The climate is dry mesomediterranean. The altitude and the distance to the Mediterranean Sea contribute to the development of the continental character. It is an area with high thermal contrasts between day and night, and winters are long with low temperatures. As was the case with Viñedos de Almendralejo, Requena also has no subzones.

The History of Cava

We have already seen where cava is produced in Spain, but what is its origin, how was this magnificent drink created? The history of cava is marked by effort, tenacity, ingenuity, creativity, and pundonor. Only with these ingredients is it possible that a simple idea born out of desperation has become what cava represents today.

The beginnings, when a crisis turns into an opportunity

The history dates back to the 19th century. In 1887, the Penedés vineyards suffered a devastating phylloxera plague. This is an insect that attacks the leaves and roots of grapevines. It also spreads very quickly and can wipe out the vineyards of an entire region in a very short time. As you can imagine, it was a hard blow to the humble producers in the area. However, it also acted as a catalyst to drive new solutions.

Some vineyard owners decided to replace the red grapes with local white grape varieties: macabeo, xarel-lo and parellada At that time, the traditional method, known as méthode champenoise, had already arrived in the region. Do you remember the town of Sant Sadurní d'Anoia we were telling you about before? It was precisely in this place where the first bottles of cava were produced back in 1872.

The decision to opt for white grapes was the driving force behind the development of this new beverage, which was already beginning to stand out for its personality.

Consolidation and Regulation of Drinking

At the beginning of the 20th century, King Alfonso XIII visited the region, a major milestone. This visit considerably increased the recognition of Penedés sparkling wines. The popularity was such that, in 1911, cava became the favorite drink of Spaniards, ahead of imports of similar beverages.

Following its success, the next step was to create legislation around these sparkling wines. Thus, in 1959 the name of the beverage was established and, in 1972, the first Sparkling Wine Regulatory Council was set up. This protection was intensified in 1986 when the Cava region was legally established through a ministerial order. The name is also protected to designate only those sparkling wines made using the traditional method. Finally, in 1991, the Regulations of the Cava Designation of Origin were approved, which are still in force today, as well as those of its Regulatory Board.

A Sustainable and Promising Future

From 2015 onwards, improvements have been implemented with the aim of protecting and enhancing the excellence and uniqueness of this beverage. Some of the instruments used for this purpose the "Cava de Paraje Calificado" category, the segmentation and zoning of Cava, and the new quality seals.

Now, cava's new commitment is to sustainability. In a world increasingly concerned about and committed to the environment, it is logical that D.O. Cava follows this trend. We must not forget that, without the right raw material, it would not be possible to enjoy this drink. Hence, the importance of continuing to care for the environment. The goal that has been set in this regard is to achieve, as of 2025, 100% organic production for the Superior Guard segment.

We hope you have found this journey through the origin of cava useful and entertaining. You can see that, thanks to the Cava Designation of Origin, the authenticity and excellence of this wine has been preserved, allowing consumers from all over the world to enjoy a unique beverage that perfectly represents the Spanish brand. For our part, we are looking forward to new horizons and achievements this beverage will offer us in the coming years. If you are craving cava, we remind you that, at 15 Bodegas, we have a carefully selected careful selection of cavas in our online store. Also, if you want to take your passion for this sparkling wine one step further, don't miss out on the wine tourism plans we offer you. A visit to a winery is the best way to soak up the history, elaboration, and idiosyncrasy surrounding cava.