Visit vineyards and wineries close to Barcelona

The number of wine lovers who decide to take a different kind of vacations and go for enotourism, increases day by day. And to do this kind of tourism in the Cataluña region implies much more than simple wine and sparkling wine tastings, it includes the possibility to relax in vineyards by the sea, taste the magnificent Mediterranean cuisine, and enjoy the rich cultural and architectonic heritage the area has to offer. Great designations of origin, like Penedès, Alella, and Pla de Bages lure in thousands of visitors each year towards the most rural areas in the Cataluña province, making enoturism a bigger and bigger part of Barcelonan tourism.

There are creative tourism experiences specially organized for wine lovers. Learning to distinguish between “crianza” and young wines, learning about the different grape varieties cultivated in the area, sleeping in the wine-making plantation states, or participating in the daily wine-cellar routine, are just some of the most sought-after options. In face of such high demand, the place is full of enologists and winery owners who join the emergent tourism centered on wines and cavas (Spanish sparkling wines), organizing tastings, routes, and workshops where you will be able to discover the trade secrets.

Viñedo1Visiting vineyards and wineries of Barcelona

Some of the best offerings for enoturists will be found at Vilafranca del Penedès, also known as “La Ciudad del Vino” (“Wine City”). There, you will be able to enjoy guided tours through the most popular plantations, get to know the Vinseum Museum, dedicated to wine culture in Cataluña, or attend the Vi Jazz, a festival being held in July joining the wine world with the best live music.

The town of Alella also stands out, located just 15 km (9 miles) away from Barcelona. This small town carries a long enological tradition, it has its own designation of origin and the famous “Fiesta de la Vendimia” (Grape Harvest Festival), celebrated the second weekend of September every year.

In the cava subworld, Sant Sadurni d’Anoia is certainly the standout. This town holds more than 80 wineries dedicated exclusively to cavas, around 90% of the entire country’s production. The best way to taste the wide variety of cavas and enjoy one of the most famous festivals surrounding this particular brand of sparkling wines, is to attend the Cavatast. This cava festival is held in the town during the second week of October.

ViñedoRoutes for enoturism in Barcelona

But enoturism in Barcelona is not limited to visiting plantations and small towns, there is also an interesting rural route option, especially planned to discover the best the wine culture has to offer. These routes can be traversed by horse, bicycle, segway, and even by flying over the vineyards in a balloon. We recommend Los Caminos del Vino y el Cava, around a dozen roads with signposts that go around the most important vineyards and wineries in the Penedès area. Surrounding the city of Manresa you will find the Ruta dels Cellers, moving through the main agricultural cooperatives in the Pla del Bages designation of origin. Finally, in the Valls del Flequer area, you will find the Ruta de Las Tinas, which will allow you to sightsee beautiful vineyards next to the sea, and discover the large stone vats used to make wine in the old times.