Penedès – less than 30 minutes south of Barcelona, only 15 minutes from the magnificent beaches of Sitges, a unique rural landscape with endless vineyards and rural tourism establishments rubbing shoulders with the unspoiled local heritage, plus the multitude of wineries and cellars that have earned this area its international reputation.
Visit wineries, stay among vineyards, sample the cuisine, taste the wines and cavas, have fun at the local festivals, explore the territory’s cultural routes, discover the timeless architectural heritage, pathwalking and cycle trips among the vineyards – this is all part of the tourism you can enjoy in Penedès.
The Wine
Land of wines and cavas.
In this part of Catalonia the local wines and cavas are of an exceptional quality and are recognised worldwide. The wines of Penedès are mostly made from traditional grape varieties, but other grapes have been introduced lately. Most of the wines are young and offer great aromatic qualities. The whites are usually very fruity and fresh. The reds are full-bodied, aromatic and intense in colour.
Cava is a naturally sparkling wine with an unmistakable flavour. This is the prime wine for toasting and celebrations, the wine for those important occasions in our lives. But it is also the wine of intimacy, for sipping in the afternoon when everything has just begun, and last thing at night when everything is possible. This ensures that your cava moments are always magical.
Resources
Castles, routes, wineries, restaurants and hotels tucked away among the vineyards.
The wine and cava walks, characteristic Spanish castles, Modernism routes, itineraries by car, historical and cultural routes, themed routes, museums and interpretation centres, Natural Parks, traditional festivals – all these wine tourism experiences are to be found in Penedès.
Heritage
From Castles of the Spanish March to late-nineteenth century Modernism.
Penedès preserves many examples of different styles of architecture, ranging from characteristic Spanish castles to late-nineteenth-century Modernism.
Interesting visits can be made to the castles of Castellet, Gelida, Mediona, Olèrdola and Sant Martí Sarroca. And among the most emblematic of its religious buildings is the Basilica of Saint Mary in the historic centre of Vilafranca del Penedès.
The Modernist style is to be found all over the region but above all in Sant Sadurní d’Anoia, Vilafranca del Penedès and Gelida, where you can take part in some fascinating guided visits.
Lastly VINSEUM (Museum of Wine Culture of Catalonia) lets you explore the history and background of wine and cava, and at CIC Fassina (Cava Interpretation Centre) you can discover the world of cava.
Image source: wineroutesofspain.com
Festivals
A calendar filled with patron saints’ days, dancing “gigantes”, “cabezudos” and “castellers”.
The Vilafranca Festivals have the largest and most varied popular processions in the country. Among these are dancing gigantes (giants), cabezudos (big-headed carnival figures) and the famous castellers (human castles).
Also of interest in Vilafranca are the May Day Festival, jazz at VIJAZZ in July, and the great Fair of the Cockerel on the Sundays running up to Christmas.
In September Sant Sadurní holds the Phylloxera Festival, and in October there’s Cavatast (cava tasting), coinciding with Cava Week.
Between September and November several towns hold Harvest Festivals, and all over the territory there are celebrations on the European Day of Wine Tourism.
Gastronomy
A rich and tasty local gastronomic tradition based on poultry, sausages and pies.
It’s not just the wines and cavas of Penedès that are of interest, a special place must be reserved at table for the rich and tasty local cuisine, based on poultry, sausages and pies, washed down with the local wine. The most traditional recipes use poultry, with the Muscovy Duck and local Penedès poultry as the prime ingredients. You can also enjoy delicious seasonal dishes like xató, a typical salad dish of the Penedès and El Garraf areas.
Other delicacies are traditional locally made sausages and sweet pastries like the catànies, carquiñolis, coca and garlandas.
Image source: wineroutesofspain.com
Activities
Different ways of discovering El Penedès.
Enoturisme PENEDÈS offers you lots of different ways to explore the region: by hiring a hot air balloon, by bike, on horseback, on foot, by following themed routes, etc.
Spend a few idyllic days in El Penedès, experiencing wine tourism in its wineries and cavas; make your own cava, take part in one of the workshops held around the time of the grape harvest, etc.
Visit its restaurants and experience the delicious local food, for example, try an enocalçotada (shallots in sauce with wine), or Penedès poultry, or xató salad, etc.
Admire the incomparable countryside by taking a guided tour, on foot or by bike, through the vineyards etc.
Lastly, discover the festivals and the fascinating cultural and natural heritage of the area on the Routes of Modernisme, the Route of the Castles or any of the guided routes in the natural and regional parks. And of course, you can always repeat the experience…
How to get there
30 minutes from Barcelona.
Airport:
Barcelona / Gerona / Lleida / Reus
Train:
RENFE suburban railway line C4 (Manresa – Sant Vicenç de Calders)
High Speed Train (Barcelona / Gerona / Lleida / Tarragona)
Road:
N-340: Barcelona – Valencia
AP7: La Jonquera – Barcelona – Tarragona motorway
C-244/C-15: Vilanova i la Geltrú – Vilafranca del Penedès – Igualada
SOURCE SOME IMAGES AND TEXTS:
wineroutesofspain.com
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