Montse Rexach Peixo juggles motherhood, cava-making at Rexach Baques
Fourth generation Cava maker Montse Rexach Peixo is a dynamo. Not only does she run Rexach Baques in Penedes, Spain, she also fills the role of winemaker, entertains journalists, and - at the end of a long day - scoops up her playful 11-month-old son into her welcoming arms.
Salvador Dali drank Rexach Baques at his wedding
Despite being run by a thoroughly modern working mom, Rexach Baques has history that extends to the earliest 20th century. That's when Montse's great grandfather, Pere Baques Rafecas began making wine right in the town where today's winery stands. In order to provide his wines with perfect aging conditions, he initiated construction of the extensive cellar, or "cava," which snakes under the streets of Guardiola de Font-Rubi.
In the ensuing years, the wines enjoyed great success. Fittingly, one of Catalonia's favorite artistic sons, Salvador Dali, served the Rexach Baques Brut Imperial Reserva Cava at his 1958 wedding.
After three generations, a woman takes the reins
The winery was run by Montse's great grandfather, grandfather and father, another Pere Baques Rafecas. When he passed away three years ago, she assumed the role of general manager in addition to winemaker. As if those two jobs were not enough, Montse and her husband gave birth to a son in 2015, and now she balances motherhood, too. Spain is not home to many female winemakers, but Montse masterfully steers the wines to classic elegance that she herself prefers. They are all aged at least 36 months before release, and the range of Cavas offer creamy mouthfeel, aromas and flavors of toast, almonds, and creme anglaise, and persistent, fine bubbles that race to the top of the glass.
To honor her father's memory, Montse produced a new wine, Pere Rexach Baques. This 2010 vintage has perfect balance, creamy richness, and light lemon and almond flavors. It's a blend of classic Cava grapes, Parellada, Macabeau, and Xarello, with a tiny bit of Pinot Noir added. It's a great wine made by a dynamic daughter who is bringing her own verve and style to a traditional Cava house.
