Suriol – Interview With Assís Suriol

One of the biggest regions in the world of sparkling wine, Cava stands as its own style of bubbly, from the historic country of Spain, with so many brilliant producers utilising tradition and innovating for the future, there’s a lot to explore, Glass of Bubbly is on a mission to highlight this wonderful region and some of the incredible minds producing Cava today.

In this exclusive feature on Glass of Bubbly, we speak with Assís Suriol, the Director General of Suriol, let’s discover a little about his life, his journey into the industry and one of his most memorable Cava memories.

It’s Great To Speak With You, Can You Tell Us A Little About Yourself & How Your Incredible Journey Into The Wine Industry Began?

“It all started when I was born in 1982 in our farmhouse Can Suriol, where my family has been managing the state for over 200 years. When I was just 3, my father, who had already worked as a farmer with my grandfather since birth, founded our company Cellers de Can Suriol. Since the beginning, my greatest passion has been to live the way that we had at home. Caring about the house, the estate, the plants, the soil… I love our land. That made me choose the winemaking path to start my adult life. I studied pharmacy as a degree and did my post-degree in oenology to focus on the wine world. I started helping my father in the winemaking process while I was still in college, and have never stopped since. I took the role of the CEO and winemaker of the company in 2010, around 14 years ago and I wouldn’t change a thing about my journey! For me, wine has never been an industry but rather a way of life, and to maintain my roots in one place, becoming the landkeeper of our estate.”

Do You Remember Your First Experience With Sparkling Wine? When It Was And What Kind Of Label It Was?

“One of my first and fondest memories with sparkling wine is not about drinking it, but rather playing with my brothers challenging each other while working with cava bottles and their side materials that we used during bottling or disgorgement. I cannot remember the first time that I tasted Cava, but rather that I always tasted it along with my parents at family dinners and celebrations. For me, Cava has always been part of my day to day. I always feel comfortable with Cava, I even usually drink a glass with my mid-morning breakfast.”

How Rewarding And Challenging Is Being The Director General Of Suriol?

“Being the CEO of Suriol is definitely challenging, as every day, my responsibilities grow with experience and the friends I made along the way. I also enjoy being able to give myself to our beloved estate and promote it wherever I go. For me, one of the most challenging parts of my work is to keep making and improving our products every year without any ‘makeup’, which makes the process more difficult and strict.”

When It Comes To Pairing Your Sparkling Wine With Food, Do You Have Any Favourite Combinations That You Would Personally Recommend?

“That’s an easy question! Our Catalan ‘Pa amb tomàquet’ is always the perfect pairing (Catalan farmer’s bread with tomato spread on top and some cheese or charcuterie to go along with it). I always relate wine with food, and for me, that’s a great pairing that anyone with access to the Catalan hanging tomatoes should try! Apart from that, Cava is for me the most versatile wine that you can find in terms of pairings.”

Can You Share With Us Some Of The Countries And Locations Around The World That You Can Enjoy A Glass Of Suriol?

“Thanks to our soil, products and work, our products can be enjoyed nowadays in a lot of different countries. From Catalonia to the USA going through Italy, the UK, Denmark, the Philipines, Canada, Japan or Australia, among others, everyone can enjoy our Cavas. Even though the product is the same everywhere you find it, for me, it’s magical how it changes completely among countries when you have it with different people from different cultures, but especially when you pair it with different foods!”

What Future Plans Can Enthusiasts Of Suriol Look Forward To In The Coming Years?

“Our biggest challenge to date! Last year, we learned that our beloved cooper, Agustí Torner, wanted to retire and he didn’t have anyone to continue with his company, Torner. From Suriol, we took the determination to not let it die, and so, with a lot of money, effort and learning, we invested in it to make sure that we can keep using the different traditional Catalan woods made by the best coopers in Catalonia. Thanks to that determination, we can keep using the chestnut tree casks that make our wine special, and that has been a tradition from our cellar for a very long time now. For the future, we are starting to work with acacia trees, cherry trees, and even Catalan Pyrenees oak. I’m sure people will love the new vintages that we will release in the future with those new woods!”

Can You Share With Us One Of The Most Memorable Experiences You’ve Enjoyed With A Glass of Bubbly?

“I’m very lucky myself that Nuria, my wife and mother of my children, is as much in love with Cava as I am, which means that Cava is always everywhere in our home and in any kind of celebration. With a glass of Cava, everything is always easier and better!”

Thank you Assís, for sharing your story and experiences with us and we at Glass of Bubbly wish you the very best for the future!

Images belong to Suriol. Glass of Bubbly was granted permission to use them.