Barcelona is widely considered to be the focal point for the growing Catalan wine industry, which is gaining momentum and space among Spain’s wine traditional regions such as Rioja or Rias Baixas. In Catalonia, renowned wine and cava brands are characterized by an innovative rather than traditional approach when it comes to production. This thriving wine-production industry has attracted considerable interest from travelers who arrive in Barcelona in large numbers who want to visit the wineries around the region and sample some of the best DOQ Priorat wines and cava (sparkling wine). A tour of the wineries around Barcelona is a remarkable adventure that every wine-lover from around the world should experience at least once in their lifetime!.
Most wineries in Catalonia are family-owned with each possessing a unique distinctiveness that is projected through the taste and aroma of the wines and cava they produce. If you fancy taking a tour to experience the beauty of Catalan wine production plus the stunning scenery of the wine producing areas, then you should consider taking a trip to the following wineries which are just a few miles off Barcelona.
And in case you don’t have time to travel around would want to enjoy an evening of tapas and wine in Barcelona. You can join our evening Wine and Tapas Tasting Experience where we dive into the world of Spanish wines with a particular remark on Catalonia, or our Bodegas and Tapas Tour where we hop on and off Barcelona´s old taverns for a selection of different type of wines and traditional tapas.
The Cava Rimarts is a winery located in the Sant Sarduni municipality near Barcelona. The winery is owned by the Martinez family. It was founded in 1987 by Ricard Martinez who passed its ownership to his two sons who are currently running it.
Cava Rimarts mainly produces Cava which is a type of sparkling wine that originated in the Catalan region of Spain. The two brothers running the winery act as tour guides for visiting tourists. Here, you will be able to sample some of the rich wines produced by the winery as you are guided through the production process.
Freixenet was founded over one and a half centuries ago by Francesc Sala in Sant Sadurní d’Anoia. The winery chiefly produces Cava and is among the top producers in Spain. Its wine is exported globally to several countries including the United States.
The winery offers tour packages for individuals, families, and couples. Anyone below the age of 18 can also be accommodated in the tour, although they will only be allowed to sample pure grape juice instead of wine.
This is the oldest sparkling wine manufacturer in the world. Like most wineries in this region, the Cordoniu winery is family-owned and was founded in 1551 by Jaume Cordoniu. The main building is a spectacular spectacle showcasing the attributes of 15th-century architecture. A trip to this winery will also present you with an opportunity to explore miles of underground tunnels constructed to store the fermenting wines.
Photo credit: Cava Codorniu
Tip: In case you want to visit Cava Freixenet or Codorniu, there is a train from Barcelona that literally drops you by their door
This winery was founded in 1881 by Paul Balle and is currently being run by his fifth-generation descendants. It was taken through a renovation in 2001 to give the entire winery a modern look that seamlessly combines with the scenic surrounding. They are considered among the best cava producers in this region and touring this winery will give you an opportunity to taste some of their exquisite sparkling wines, as well as their outstanding natural wines.
Marfil Alella was founded in 1906 in the Alella municipality north of Barcelona. It is currently being run by descendants of its founder who have guided it through its rapid expansion. It currently exports its wines to three continents and produces over 15 different brands of white sparkling wine.
