Wine Tasting in and around Barcelona
Catalonia, in north-east Spain, is blessed with diverse and fertile soils and a warm climate which have proved to be perfect conditions for wine-making for centuries. Today over 70,000 hectares in Catalonia are given over to wineries and vineyards and the region has a long history of wine-making that can be dated back to the Phoenician times, an ancient civilisation who arrived on the Iberian peninsular long before the Romans.
Whilst Catalan/Spanish vintages don't always garner the same hysteria as their French cousins across the border, the vineyards of Spanish and Catalan wineries have been turning out great tasting blends for generations now; although it wasn't perhaps until the 19th century when regional producers truly mastered the art of wine-making. It was of course at that time that the production of the legendary Cava wines began, when Josep Raventos of the Codorniu winery successfully imitated the French Champagne method of producing sparkling vintages in the early 1870s. The Codorniu winery remains one of the most famous and popular in Spain but there are in fact many more around Barcelona where you can visit and tour the vineyards and cellars - as well as of course indulge in some wine tasting, whether you prefer red, white, sparkling or still. Below we list some of those best geared up towards enotourism, as well as some trusted wine tour providers.
Above: Overlooking the harvested vines in the Penedes region
Wineries & Vineyards near Barcelona
Codorniu Winery
A historical winery in Esplugues de Llobregat with cavernous Cava cellars, expansive vineyards, beautiful gardens and Art Nouveau buildings. The wine ain't half bad either. You can reach the winery by making your way to Sant Sadurni (40 mins by train from Barcelona Sants Station) and taking a taxi or walking (25 mins). Tours cost 8 euros and are available in multiple languages. Or check below for a private wine tasting tour that continues on from Codorniu to a second, family-run, vineyard and includes lunch, guide and transport to and from Barcelona...
www.codorniu.es
Marfil Alella
The last standing urban winery in Spain can be found just 14km up the road from Barcelona, and is a treat not just for wine buffs but architecture gurus too - the cellars are all built in the characteristic Modernista style of the early 20th century, the Catalan version of art nouveau. Tours include a visit to the Marfil Museum, wine-making laboratory, pressing zone, bottling factory, and of course includes wine-tasting (three varieties).
www.alellavinicola.com
Wine Tasting Tours in/around Barcelona
Although it is generally cheaper to travel independently from Barcelona to the vineyards by public transport, you may find that the experts are worth the extra dinero you pay when it comes to enjoying a day out at the cellars. Little things like knowing opening times, knowing when English-speaking tours are available, and providing hotel pick up in a mini-van (as opposed to navigating train timetables on the Renfe website) can add up to much more enjoyable experience! Below we list some of the local providers offering either wine tasting experiences in Barcelona itself or vineyard tours to nearby wineries, such as those listed above. Of course another option would be hire a car or scooter (in which case please designate a driver rather than do the unthinkable!).
Barcelona Wine Tasting Tour
On this excursion, organised by one of the city's most experienced tour operators, participants will be taken to not one, but two top wineries in the Penedes region. The first is the aforementioned Codorniu Winery, where you'll get to see how arguably the most famous name in the business produce their Cava. Then it's off to a much smaller, family-run vineyard where you'll get a more personal tour of the premises, sit down for a delicious tapas lunch - and of course taste a wide range of local Catalan wines. At an all-inclusive cost of 150 euros this highly recommended day out is must for those looking for an authentic tasting experience! Email for more details.
Make Your Own Cava
For a more hands-on wine tasting tour, grape lovers should look no further than the Create Your Own Cava experience. This day out combines many of the same activities as any self-respecting wine tour, such as a guided stroll around the sun-kissed vineyards, a nose around the cellars, and a thorough explanation of the production process, but it also invites people to participate directly in the wine's preparation. Having sampled several different blends of Cava, guests choose a bottle of their favourite and then tackle the tricky process of 'disgorgement' themselves. Great fun, and afterwards you can personalise the bottle you prepared... and take it home to drink at your leisure! The cost is 30 euros per head and includes free pick up from the local train station in the Penedes (you can easily make the 50 min rail journey from Barcelona). Splash out an extra 10 euros per head and you can round off your tour with a slap-up barbecue in the romantic environs of the 1,000 year old farm house. Email for more info.
Food & Wine Tours
These gurus of the gastronomic realms naturally know a thing or five thousand about the fruits of Dionysus, and offer a range of grape-related experiences from day trips to the best vineyards in Catalonia to wine-tasting courses in the city. Email us with your requirements and we'll put you in contact!