Juvé & Camps leaves DO Cava to become Corpinnat’s largest member

Catalan producer Juvé & Camps has become the 22nd winery to join Corpinnat, further consolidating the recent growth of the private certification group that champions terroir-driven sparkling wines in Penedès.

Its arrival makes Juvé & Camps the largest member of the association, adding over 2.5 million bottles to the three million sold collectively by Corpinnat’s producers in 2025. The move follows a two-year audit process and its membership was formally approved by vote on 23 March.

“This new stage represents a natural progression in our history, as well as a reaffirmation of the values that have defined us for more than a century,” said Joan Juvé, third-generation president of Juvé & Camps.  

The move marks a turning point in the already complex scenario of sparkling wine in Penedès, where three different designations, DO Cava, Clàssic Penedès and Corpinnat, coexist alongside producers  operating outside them. The region is also navigating a particularly challenging period, shaped by three consecutive years of severe drought between 2021 and 2023, Freixenet's decision to significantly scale back grape purchases, and the prospect of downward pressure on prices ahead of what is expected to be a generous harvest. At the same time,  uncertainty surrounds the renewal of the DO Cava’s governing board, when president Javier Pagés finishes his mandate in May.

While  the departure of Juvé & Camps is unlikely to have a major impact on Cava volumes overall, it will significantly reduce the supply of Cava Gran Reserva, a category that reached 4.2 million bottles in 2025, given that 60% of the winery’s sparkling production falls within this segment. The DO also loses La Capella, one of its most notable single-vineyard cavas.

In a statement, the DO Cava acknowledged “a producer that has greatly contributed to building Cava’s reputation over the years,”  with particular reference to Joan Juvé. It added: “Dynamism, with producers joining and leaving, forms part of the natural evolution of any European appellation.”

Meritxell Juvé, fourth-generation family member and CEO of Juvé & Camps, struck a miliar note: “Life is about change and evolution. I am firmly convinced that Spain needs a sparkling wine appellation that can compete with the world's leading regions, which is why we act with such strong convictions. At the same time, we are who we are thanks to Cava, and we owe it our utmost respect.”

A new chapter, new challenges 

Juvé & Camps is the first non-family-owned company to join Corpinnat. Since 2017, its majority shareholder has been Scranton Enterprises BV, a Dutch holding company in which family members and senior executives of the multinational pharmaceutical corporation Grifols hold stakes. Despite speculation about a potential sale  two years ago, the winery has remained firmly rooted in the region and continues to be run by the Juvé family. “Scranton provides stability and a long-term outlook, while fully respecting our identity. The Juvé family is at the helm of the project in terms of both management and strategic decision-making,” said Meritxell Juvé.

Corpinant, for its part, sees no issue in the presence of external investors. “Juvé & Camps is a project with strong local roots, underpinned by a clear strategic vision that will create additional value. Although Corpinnat was initially founded by family-owned wineries with deep territorial ties, the association must also reflect the diversity of the industry and remain open to other perspectives,” said Roc Gramona, Corpinnat's vice-president.

Juvé & Camps already meets the association’s core requirements, including certified organic viticulture since 2015, hand-harvesting and in-house vinification (it previously held the status of 'integral producer' within the DO Cava) and is committed to extended ageing.

The main adjustment ahead will be the gradual phasing out of international grape varieties, in line with Corpinnat’s commitment to eliminate their use entirely by the 2035 vintage. This is a significant shift for Juvé & Camps, whose portfolio includes flagship wines in this vein such as Milésime Chardonnay and its entire range of rosé sparkling wines made from Pinot Noir, including the super-premium La Siberia. For now, however, Meritxell Juvé downplays the challenge, indicating that Xarel·lo is the winery’s main focus and that there is plenty of time to explore alternatives. The recently launched Reserva de la Familia Rosé, for instance, already incorporates Garnacha into the blend.

The winery will start using the Corpinnat seal this week, although both designations are expected to coexist in the market for some time.

One immediate consequence of Juvé & Camps' entry  will be a significant increase in Corpinnat’s financial capacity. According to Roc Gramona, this will be reflected in next year's budget, with a substantial allocation for communication. “We want to reach a broader consumer base and ensure that Corpinnat is clearly understood and differentiated from other sparkling wines,” he said. Strengthening audit controls will also be a priority, "to ensure rigour in the admission of new members and to uphold the standards we have set."

Of the nine candidates currently under evaluation, several are expected to join in the course of the year. However, Gramona points to January 2027 as a pivotal moment in the association’s growth.