Bages Revives Indigenous Malvasia Blanca-Roja for 2026 Harvest
The Denominació d'Origen (DO) Pla de Bages has officially incorporated the malvasia blanca-roja into its register of authorised grape varieties, marking a milestone in regional viticulture. This rare, endemic grape, once lost to cultivation and recovered from wild vines in local forests, can now be used in winemaking across the Bages region. The announcement was made on Monday during the launch of the 10th Festa del Tomàquet del Bages in Manresa, where wines from the comarca were this year’s featured product. The inclusion follows an eight-year research project initiated in 2018 at the Torre Lluvià estate, where ancient and forgotten vines were identified and studied.
Genetic Confirmation Enables Commercial Use
A detailed genetic analysis conducted by INCAVI confirmed the grape's identity and quality as "excel·lentíssima" (excellent), allowing immediate use by local wineries. Producers may now vinify the variety either as a single-varietal wine or blended with others, including the region’s iconic picapoll, another indigenous grape of the Pla de Bages. Josep Maria Claret, driving force behind the experimental vineyard at Torre Lluvià, presented the findings to attendees. He highlighted that the site will now serve as a "banc de fusta" (wood bank), supplying cuttings to regional cellars eager to replant the variety.
Collaborative Model Behind Agricultural Success
The recovery effort is built on a four-part collaboration: the Ajuntament de Manresa provides land; DO Pla de Bages contributes technical expertise; Fundació Ampans supplies social integration labour; and Collbaix cellar leads experimental vinification. Nine historic local varieties are currently under study at the site. Alongside malvasia blanca-roja, trials include moscat (used in Ampans’ Alfàbrega wine) and native red grapes such as negrelló, which may soon follow malvasia into official registration. Winery interest is already growing. Several producers have formally requested cuttings to begin reintroducing the grape across the territory, enriching both the catalogue and cultural identity of Bages wines.
This achievement reflects our commitment to recovering the unique viticultural heritage of Bages.
Reported by naciodigital.cat, Roger Junyent, Redacció | Manresa, dopladebages.com, Albert Amigó Manresa, aguita.club, rutadelvidobages.cat, navas.cat, Marc Llohis, viaempresa.cat, Repositori URV, Enric Bartra Sebastian.
