The Denominació d'Origen Catalunya has officially expanded its production zone to include 60 new municipalities, reflecting the evolving landscape of Catalan viticulture. The update, part of a revision to the DO's Plec de Condicions (Conditions Document), recognises vineyard presence in areas previously outside the designation’s boundaries.

Of the 60 newly incorporated towns, 44 join without overlapping any other Denominació d'Origen, while 16 will coexist with existing wine regions across Catalonia. Among the additions are Alfara de Carles and Paüls in Baix Ebre, Amposta and Ulldecona in Montsià, Arbolí in Baix Camp, Salou in Tarragonès, and Savallà del Comtat in Conca de Barberà.

Additionally, 17 municipalities that were previously only partially included in the DO, such as La Morera de Montsant, are now fully integrated into the production zone. This change means entire municipal territories, not just specific cadastral plots, fall under the DO Catalunya umbrella.

Recognition of viticultural reality

According to the DO Catalunya, the expansion strengthens its territorial scope and responds to the 'diverse and dynamic reality' of wine production in Catalonia. The update incorporates towns from regions including Terres de l'Ebre, Ponent, Girona, Camp de Tarragona, and the Barcelona metropolitan area, as well as central Catalonia and the Pyrenees.

In central Catalonia, seven municipalities from the Pla de Bages area, Castellbell i el Vilar, l'Estany, Marganell, Moià, Monistrol de Montserrat, Sant Feliu Sasserra, and Sant Vicenç de Castellet, have been added, along with Odèn (Solsonès), La Seu d'Urgell (Alt Urgell), Llívia (Cerdanya), and Olesa de Montserrat (north Baix Llobregat).

"This modification aims to better represent the viticultural diversity of the country,"

the DO stated, highlighting the goal of creating a more accurate geographical reflection of where vineyards are actively cultivated.

Support for producers across Catalonia

The change allows more winemakers to use the DO Catalunya label, which supports regional identity and market recognition. By formally including areas where vineyards exist but were not previously recognised, the DO enables producers to benefit from regulated designation, quality standards, and promotional support.

Local authorities and wine councils have welcomed the update as a practical step toward aligning administrative boundaries with agricultural reality. Growers in newly included areas can now register their vineyards under the DO framework and access associated technical and commercial resources via the official DO Catalunya portal.

Reported by Xavi Moraleda, reusdigital.cat, Ample24 SCCL - http://www.ample24.com, Redacción COPE Barcelona, DO Catalunya, diarimes.com.