A history of EXCELLENCE
For more than 150 years, our family has dedicated itself to the art of wine making. This expertise lives inside every bottle we produce. True to our roots, Freixenet is still driven to making the best possible wines with passion and committed to helping everyone around the world celebrate every moment!
1861
Beginning of the family business Casa Sala, predecessor of Freixenet, founded by Francesc Sala Farrés and subsequently helmed by his son Joan.
1911
The heiress of Casa Sala, Dolores Sala Vivé, marries the youngest son of the Ferrer de la Freixeneda family, Pedro Ferrer Bosch, whose nickname is 'el Freixenet'.
The couple, along with Joan Sala, begin to produce sparkling wine following the traditional method, which is similar to that of Champagne.
1914
Launch on the market of the first bottle of sparkling wine under the Freixenet brand, which will end up becoming the brand of both the company and the group.
Enormous development of the new family business, thanks to the duo of Dolores, who is an oenologist and administrator, and Pedro, who is an innovative businessman and an extraordinary salesman.
1927
Freixenet builds a modern cellar near the train station of Sant Sadurní d'Anoia.
Designed by the prestigious modernist architect Josep Ros i Ros, it is considered one of his most important works.
The emblematic façade was designed by Joan Torras Puig.
1929
In celebration of the Universal Exposition, the company creates the “Freixenet Boy”, which soon becomes a brand icon.
In the mid-1920s, Freixenet was already a recognized company that competed with the main Penedès brands. At the end of the decade, Freixenet cava began to be exported.
1936
At the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War, Freixenet is already the second "champagne".
The war causes the collectivization of Freixenet and the death of Pedro Ferrer and his eldest son, Joan Ferrer Sala, leaving the family without company, without the head and without the ‘first heir’.
1939
In the wake of the Spanish Civil War, the company is returned to the family. It is Dolores Sala and the eldest of their four children, Pilar Ferrer, who take charge of reinstating the company's activi
1941
In 1941, an innovative decision was the origin of one of the brand’s most emblematic cavas, Carta Nevada. It became Freixenet’s flagship, thanks to its distinctive frosted white bottle.
1959
José Ferrer joins the management of Freixenet after completing his studies in winemaking and marketing, to begin the modernization of Freixenet.
This manifests both in production, with greater mechanization and expansion of the cellar, and with a more dynamic commercial vision, which includes the first attempts to internationalize the brand.
1965
José Luis Bonet joins the company as Commercial Director. Together with his uncle José Ferrer they form an invincible duo.
Both design an extraordinary marketing plan: creation and launch of iconic products such as Carta Nevada and Cordón Negro, vital for the expansion of Freixenet.
1972
Birth of the “Freixenet Bubble”.
1974
Launch of Cordón Negro, the brand's most internationally famous bottle, which is present in more than 140 countries.
With the Freixenet brand fully consolidated in the Spanish market, Freixenet firmly banks on the international project, which is completely helmed by José Ferrer Sala.
1979
Launch of the first Cuvée de Prestige, D.S., in honour of the Freixenet cofounder Dolors Sala. It is the first creation of an exclusive 9-Cuvée collection completed through the years.
Reserva Real (1989), Malvasia (1991), Monsatrell Xarel·lo (1996), Elyssia Gran Cuvée and Elyssia Pinot Noir (1997), Trepat (1998), Can Sala (2004) and Garnatxa Subirat Parent (2015).
1985
Freixenet is consolidated as a leader of the Cava sector, thanks to its worldwide success.
1992
Freixenet sponsors the unforgettable Olympic Games of Barcelona.
1997
Cordón Negro by Freixenet, the first sparkling wine in space.
Astronaut Helena Kondakova was the first person in history to toast in the weightlessness of space as a crew member of the Mir Space Station.
2002
Freixenet is a founding partner of the Spanish Network of the United Nations World Pact, and the first winemaking group to form part of this initiative.
Made, recognised and backed by the ISO 14001 certificate, which Freixenet earned in 1999.
2007
The prestigious film director Martin Scorsese directs the Freixenet Christmas advertisement.
Martin Scorsese, who is widely considered to be the best director of all times, draws inspiration from Hitchcock to create an unrepeatable suspense short starring Simon Baker and Kelli O’Hara.
2014
Freixenet celebrates its 100th anniversary.
2015
Birth of the latest Cuvée de Prestige, Garnatxa Subirat Parent. The firm's first Blanc de Noirs cava, this product is made with Grenache, combined with the white grape varietal Subirat Parent.
This product completes the Cuvées de Prestige collection, where each and every product is made with the authorised grape varietals of the Cava Regulatory Council.
2016
Freixenet keeps innovating and launches the ICE range composed by Freixenet ICE and Freixenet ICE Rosé, the new way to sip an extra refreshing glass of cava.
A special cava created as a mixer to serve in a large wine glass with ice and the liqueurs and fruit of your choice.
2018
Henkell and Freixenet join forces to form world’s leading sparkling wine group.
2019
Launch of Freixenet Prosecco and Italian Rosé, two new sparkling wines that combine superior quality and spectacular beauty into one bottle.
