The 7 Best Cava Bottles to Buy Right Now in 2025
Bodegas Naveran, Kripta, Roger Goulart
Production of Spanish sparkling wine began in 1872 when Josep Raventós i Fatjó brought the traditional method of making fizz from Champagne to Catalonia, and his son, Manuel Raventós i Domenech, is credited with establishing the standard blend of the three native varieties still used to this day. The name Cava comes from the Catalan word for “cellar” because, at minimum, all Cava must be aged on the lees for at least nine months, with longer requirements for Reserva and Gran Reserva bottles.
The three grapes traditionally used are Macabeo, Xarel-lo, and Parellada, which are all white varieties. Xarel-lo adds body, while Parellada adds fruit flavors, and Macabeo adds a florality to the finished wine. The Cava D.O. allows winemakers to use Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Subirat Parent, Monastrell, Trepat, and Garnacha, as well. Cava can be produced in four separate areas around Spain, but 95 percent is made in the Comtats de Barcelona D.O.
A few years ago, Cava production reached 200 million bottles, with 70 percent exported to the United States, Japan, and Switzerland, and only 30 percent remaining in Spain for domestic consumption.
-
Vins El Cep 2016 Claror Brut Nature Gran Reserva Cava
Image Credit: Vins El Cep The Carrera, Esteve, Masana, and Parera families joined forces in 1980 and built the Vins El Cep winery on the Can Llopart estate, which can trace its history back to 1499. Their grapes are cultivated according to organic and biodynamic wine principles, and the team uses horses and donkeys to plow the fields. Visitors to the estate can taste Cava in the vineyards, enjoy a Cava brunch, or take a class that combines yoga and Cava. Vins El Cep 2016 Claror Brut is straw-colored and has aromas of toasted hazelnut, dried fruit, and white flowers that transition to flavors of dried apricot, peach, with just a touch of marzipan in the finish.
-
Bodegas Naveran 2022 Dama Cava
Image Credit: Bodegas Naveran At the end of the 19th century, Don Pablo Parellada de Naveran planted vines and built a winery near the site of an ancient chapel that dated back to the 1100s. His descendant, Michel Gilleron Parellada de Navaran, founded what is now known as Cavas Naveran in 1984, and since that time, the house has been well known for quality sparkling wine. Dama Cava has aromas of apple blossom, toasted hazelnut, and white peach that lead to flavors of lemon, marzipan, and tart apple in the mid palate.
-
Parés Baltà NV 2016 Blanca Cusine Brut Nature Cava
Image Credit: Parés Baltà Pares Balta was established in 1790 when the founding family planted vines and built a winery. Today, grapes are grown according to organic and biodynamic principles using the guidelines established by Rudolf Steiner in 1924. Parés Baltà Blanca Cusine is comprised of 81 percent Xarel-lo, 10 percent Pinot Noir, and 9 percent Chardonnay. Golden straw colored in the glass, it has aromas of dried apricot and toasted almonds that transition to flavors of dried fruits and freshly baked brioche.
-
Alta Alella 2019 Laieta Cava Gran Reserva Brut Nature Rosé
Image Credit: Alta Alella Josep Maria and Cristina established their Alta Alella winery in 1991 on the Can Genis estate, and since its inception, have grown grapes only using certified organic farming techniques. Today, they are joined by their daughters, Mireia and Georgina, and together this family team makes stunning wines. Their Laieta 2019 has aromas of crushed violet petal and ripe red raspberry that beckon you into the glass for flavors of toasted almonds, strawberry, and red plum. The finish is light, fruity, and crisp.
-
Roger Goulart 2013 The Roger
Image Credit: Roger Goulart Roger Goulart Winery is located in the town of Sant Esteve Sesrovires in the Alto Penedes region of northeastern Spain. It was founded in 1882 by the Canals family and is quite impressive to visit because it was designed by Ignasi Mas i Morell, who was a contemporary of Antonio Gaudí. It has more than 3,000 feet of cellars that are buried 100 feet under the ground. Their delightful Cava is simply named The Roger, and it has ethereal aromas of freshly baked focaccia, lime, lemon, and green apple with flavors of white peach, brioche, and crisp lemon-lime in the finish.
-
Pere Ventura NV Cava Brut Gran Reserva
Image Credit: Pere Ventura Pere Ventura’s family has been involved in the wine trade for generations, so it was no surprise when he started his own eponymous wine company. Today, he is the owner of multiple vineyards, wineries, and estates in four different D.O.s in Catalonia. His sparkling wines have been favorites of ours for years. Pere Ventura NV Cava Brut Gran Reserva has delightful aromas of citrus blossom, freshly baked bread, and ripe stone fruits with flavors of crisp apple, lemon zest, and white flowers.
-
Kripta 2015 Agusti Torello Mata Gran Reserva
Image Credit: Kripta Kripta was founded by Agusti Torello Mata in the town of Sant Sadurní d’Anoia and remains a passion project of his family. Kripta is widely considered to be one of the best producers in Cava, and for good reason: Their wines are consistently excellent and highly rated. Most of their Cava comes in a traditional thick-walled glass bottle, but this unique bottle is shaped like an ancient amphora with a pointed bottom. It does not have a traditional punt, so it must be served in an ice bucket, which adds to its glamor and mystique. In the glass, it has a fine stream of never-ending bubbles and aromas of freshly baked brioche, Gala apple, and honeysuckle that transition to flavors of pear, apple, and citrus blossom.
