On May 27, 2025, workers at Henkell Freixenet’s Sant Sadurní d’Anoia and Torrelavit facilities in Spain’s Penedès region began a four-day strike, protesting the planned layoff of 180 employees—24% of the workforce. The cava giant, formed in 2018 after Henkell & Co. acquired a majority stake in Freixenet, attributes the cuts to a 45% decline in Penedès grape harvests since 2022, driven by Catalonia’s persistent drought. Rising raw material costs and a 13.4% drop in Cava sales in 2024 (with exports down 18.1% and domestic sales off 3.6%, per DO Cava and Circana data) have further strained the company’s operations.
The strike, led by the Comisiones Obreras union, saw workers block factory entrances, signaling deep unrest. Union leader Antonio Domínguez argues the drought is a pretext for a strategic shift toward non-Cava sparkling wines, like Freixenet’s “Premium Sparkling Wine – Cuvée de España,” made with non-DO grapes in just four months versus Cava’s minimum 12-month aging. Aimed at markets like Germany and Switzerland, this product bypasses Cava’s strict regulations, raising concerns about brand dilution and consumer trust. “This isn’t a commitment to Cava,” Domínguez told Catalan News, warning of a broader threat to the region’s wine identity.
For the global wine industry, Freixenet’s pivot reflects a growing tension: balancing tradition with economic pressures. Cava, a cornerstone of Spain’s sparkling wine market, faces unique challenges. Unlike Prosecco, which benefits from less restrictive production rules, Cava’s DO requirements demand longer aging and specific grape varieties, increasing costs in a drought-hit region. Freixenet’s move to produce faster, cheaper sparkling wines mirrors strategies seen in other wine regions adapting to climate change, such as Australia’s use of alternative varietals or Chile’s investment in drought-resistant vineyards. However, this risks alienating purists and eroding Cava’s premium positioning.
Negotiations have faltered, with Freixenet proposing to spare some jobs if 30–35 workers relocate to its German or Italian plants—a suggestion unions dismissed as provocative. The company’s focus on younger workers for layoffs, avoiding higher compensation costs, has further inflamed tensions. A May 29 demonstration in Sant Sadurní d’Anoia, backed by mayor Pere Vernet, underscored local fears that Freixenet’s restructuring could hollow out the Penedès economy, a hub for Cava production.
The stakes extend beyond Freixenet. With global sparkling wine consumption projected to grow 4.5% annually through 2030 (per IWSR), producers face pressure to innovate while preserving heritage. Freixenet’s portfolio, including Segura Viudas and Mionetto, gives it scale, but its reliance on non-DO products could weaken Cava’s market share against competitors like Champagne or Prosecco. As talks continue ahead of the June 4 deadline, the outcome will signal whether Cava can adapt to environmental and economic challenges without sacrificing its cultural and economic roots in Catalonia.
