Viña Esmeralda: A Mediterranean Jewel with Taste, Style and Purpose

There are wines you drink, and then there are wines you experience. Viña Esmeralda is one of those bottles that makes you pause, take in the moment, and feel a little more connected to the world around you. And guess what? This Mediterranean beauty has finally landed at the LCBO in limited release.

Styled right out the Mediterranean 

Catalonia, in northeastern Spain, is one of the country’s most vibrant wine regions. Framed by the Mediterranean Sea and the Pyrenees mountains, it’s a landscape where ancient winemaking traditions meet bold innovation. Here, rolling vineyards are not just agriculture—they are part of a cultural identity shaped by history, architecture, and the rhythms of coastal life. Tucked between the sparkling Mediterranean and the rugged Pyrenees, Catalonia is a region alive with contrasts

Born at Mas Flassada, a 14th-century Catalan estate, this wine carries with it centuries of history and culture. It’s not just a drink—it’s a snapshot of Mediterranean life: fresh, fragrant, and elegant, with just the right balance to make you want to pour another glass.

And can we talk about the bottle? That turquoise glow isn’t just gorgeous—it’s a tribute to the Mediterranean Sea itself, a reminder that wine can be both beautiful and meaningful.

Wine With a Purpose

Here’s what I love most: Viña Esmeralda isn’t just about style—it’s about substance. Since 2022, the winery has teamed up with Gravity Wave to clean up the sea, removing over 40 tonnes of marine plastic. And in 2024, they partnered with the Save the Posidonia Project in 2024 and 2025, protecting 20,000 square meters of underwater seagrass meadows (aka the “lungs of the Mediterranean”).

These meadows are what give the sea its stunning emerald glow—yes, the same color that inspired the bottle design. So every sip of this wine feels like a little toast to sustainability, culture, and the natural world.

What’s in the Glass

Viña Esmeralda is all about Moscatel, one of the Mediterranean’s most expressive and charming grapes. An ancient grape—Moscatel is a vine that has been part of Mediterranean life for generations. Originally from Africa, this fragrant grape offers inviting notes of orange blossom, ripe peach, and honey, a tasting profile that speaks of sunshine and sea. Fresh, fragrant, and just a little indulgent, it’s the kind of wine that greets you with a smile before you’ve even taken your first sip. On the palate, Moscatel brings a perfect balance of freshness and softness, making it versatile enough to carry you from golden hour to a late-night dinner.

How to Enjoy It

This is a wine that begs to be part of an experience. Here’s how I’d bring Viña Esmeralda into everyday moments (and make them feel a little more Mediterranean):

• Golden hour seafood – Sip it with oysters or fresh seafood as the sun dips low—fresh, briny, and magical.

• Mediterranean mezze night – Pair it with citrus-marinated olives, grilled octopus, and warm bread for a spread that feels straight out of the coast.

• Seasonal freshness – Pour it alongside burrata and heirloom tomatoes for the ultimate late-summer dinner.

• Sunset picnic – Pack it with soft cheeses, fruit, and friends. Bonus points if you’re near water—it’s practically built for lakeside or beachside sipping.

  
  

Why You’ll Love It

Viña Esmeralda is more than what’s in your glass—it’s a celebration of Mediterranean artistry, culture, and way of life. From its roots in Catalonia’s rich winemaking heritage to its modern mission of protecting the sea, it represents a harmony between tradition and innovation, pleasure and purpose. To sip Viña Esmeralda is to step into a story of beauty, connection, and culture—a lifestyle that lingers well beyond the last drop - it’s a little escape, a cultural journey, and a way to celebrate the Mediterranean lifestyle from your own backyard. For me, it’s the kind of wine that makes ordinary moments feel extraordinary.

Available now in limited release at the LCBO—so if you see it, grab it while you can. Trust me, this is one you’ll want to share (or not, no judgment).