Many winemakers in the Penedés region offer tours of their facilities and vineyards, tailored to the needs and interests of their customers. One-day tours usually last about four hours and include visiting vineyards, where we learn the secrets of grape vines care and the stages of wine formation.
We usually have the opportunity to visit the wine cellar and see for yourself what the process of wine storage, aging and ripening is before it goes on sale. The tour ends with the tasting of wines produced in the vineyard, and if we chose this option, also a meal consisting of typical Catalan dishes. House for rent in Catalonia, preferably with a large terrace, will be a perfect place for a relaxing evening with a glass of chilled cava.
To organize the enoturist wandering in Penedés, it is best to do it through the official websites of wineries, where the best offers, hours of sightseeing, pricelists and convenient access are provided. There are many opportunities, but we want to show you the ones that we think have the best customer experience.
Cavas Codorníu
Cavas Codorníu offers a unique visit to the modernist building designed by Josep Puig and Cadafalch, who has been recognized as a Historic Artistic Monument since 1976. As we learn from the main website, we have the opportunity to take a "journey to the beginnings of cava" through various occupations, including guided tours, breakfast and dinner among vineyards and tasting. If you plan to visit only one vineyard during your voyage on the trail, you should choose the Cavas Codorníu!
The beginning of this vineyard dates back to the 16th century, and is therefore the oldest family company in Spain. The labyrinth of underground spaces is a place of fermentation and ripening of this sparkling wine. During your visit you will be able to visit several of these underground spaces as well as the gardens and vineyards. A visit to tasting some of the best Cavas Codorníu.
Duration: 90 minutes
Prices: Adults 12 €. Children (8-17 years) 8 €. Young children (0-7 years) free. Students and students, large families / single parents and persons over 65 years of age: € 9.
Languages: Spanish, Catalan, English and French)
Opening Hours: Check out your Guided Tours website in your chosen language.
Contact: 938 913 342 or email: [email protected]
Cavas Freixenet
Freixenet offers a wide selection of tours, both for individual, small and large groups or for families with children. The family visit plan is mainly aimed at the youngest, there will be plenty of activities and curios for them - they will not be bored!
At the beginning, an audiovisual show featuring various characters, which in a fun way depicts the process of cava production. Later, accompanied by a guide, we go down to the underground where the cava grows. The best is still ahead of us. The vineyard is equipped with a small train that takes the little ones on a small tour of the vineyard, presenting the latest equipment and equipment. At the end of the visit, there will definitely be a cava tasting for adults and non-alcoholic must in the case of minors.
Sumarroca
Another winery in the same region is Sumarroca in the Subirats Gymnasium. Beautiful surroundings, great gastronomy and delicious wine tour give you amazing experiences. Sumarroca organizes courses and information conferences on the world and cava production, as well as the opportunity to explore its vineyard.
You can choose from a variety of visits, depending on your needs and interests, walking around and planting your vines. The tour ends with a tasting of several sparkling wines produced in vineyards or Catalan gastronomy, including the famous panama (bread with tomato) and local cured meats and cheeses. In addition, you can arrange a barbecue among the vines.
A perfect place for a casual lunch or dinner in the open air, overlooking the beautiful countryside and ripening grapes. If you are looking for a complete tour of nature, pleasant to the palate, eye-catching and educated, the Sumarroca vineyard is the best choice.
Cavas Ferret
One of the most traditional vineyards in Catalonia is Cavas Ferret, which began its production more than 70 years ago, in 1941. Since then, the vineyard has specialized in the production of high quality grapes, which produces wines and cava of international prestige.
A visit to the vineyard is a real journey in time when you will learn the history of cava production in Catalonia, from humble beginnings to the most modern technological solutions to create such exceptional wines.
ArtCava
Throughout the Penedés region, you can find smaller, family-friendly vineyards that will also welcome visitors by providing them with many sensations.
One such vineyard is ArtCava, housed in a country house built almost 300 years ago in the heart of the Penedés valley. This production should not be compared to other large vineyards in the region as it does not exceed 15,000 bottles a year. Still, it offers a very high level of visit, where we have a unique chance to produce our own bottle of wine!
he tour starts with a car ride through the Penedés region and the plantation where the grapes ripen. Then visit the historic village house where there is a vineyard, with a patio, dining room and kitchen - you can imagine what life was like in the old days when adults and children were gathering around the stove and having good food. At the end of the tour you will also visit cellars where the cava is stored and you will learn the traditional method of ripening this wine.
A pleasant surprise is waiting for the end, because after tasting several types of cava you can take home a personalized bottle of the variety that you most tasted. To do this, you have to take a picture that will be on the bottle label, as well as prepare the whole process, from the isolation of bacteria responsible for wine fermentation to bottle cleaning and bottling. No worries, all activities are very simple and interesting! Thanks to them we will understand with what care the producer treats the wine before it hits the consumer.
Vilafranca del Penedés: The capital of enoturism
Undoubtedly, the best known and most visited wine region in Catalonia is Penedés, located between the Mediterranean plains and the mountain range. The capital of the region is the city of Vilafranca del Penedés, full of sights, gastronomy and of course ... excellent wine!
Vilafranca offers you a great walk through the narrow, cobbled streets of the Gothic quarter where you can visit Palau Real, the Royal Palace, where the Museo de las Culturas del Vino, the Museum of Wine Culture, and the majestic Basilica of Santa Maria are now located. The city is also distinguished by its rich modernist architecture, which reflects the rapid development of the city in the 19th century.
In my opinion, the best option is to choose and book your Barcelona apartments, then go on a trip to this beautiful countryside and explore Penedés.
Sitges: terraces overlooking the sea
We finish our route heading for the beautiful fishing village of Sitges, just 35 km away from Barcelona. Traveling by car, the journey from Vilafranca to Sitges should not take you more than half an hour, so it is the perfect place to end our expedition with the Cavy Trail in Catalonia.
Sitges is becoming more and more known in the world thanks to its colorful festival and the Festival of Fantastic Cinema, which takes place on the streets of the town. In the summer it is one of the main beach resorts in Catalonia, and in the center and in the suburbs we find villas and apartments for rent in Sitges. This is a great place to enjoy the sun and the beach and stroll along the promenade along the Mediterranean Sea. Beautiful views of the sea will allow you to fully enjoy your holiday.
Sitges is worth visiting every season, especially in spring and autumn when it is not so crowded. In the numerous cafes, bars and restaurants you can taste tasty dishes of local cuisine, rich in fresh fish and vegetables, and, of course, the best varieties of sparkling cava wine originating in Penedés.
It is really worth going back to Barcelona to make a stop in Sitges to enjoy the taste and smell of the Mediterranean, admiring the sunset from the terrace of one of the beachfront restaurants and discovering everything the town has to offer.
