- Winecious.life
- Posts
- Wine Day Trip from Barcelona: best wineries to visit in Penedès and Priorat
Wine Day Trip from Barcelona: best wineries to visit in Penedès and Priorat
A Cava tastings in Sant Sadurní d'Anoia and bold reds in Priorat.
In partnership with
About a month before my trip to Barcelona, I got excited about visiting wineries. It all started when my wine educator hosted a Spanish wine class in Los Angeles, and I had my first taste of a red wine from the Priorat region. I couldn't decide what fascinated me more: the bold, mineral-rich flavor or the story behind the region. That's when I knew: I wanted to experience it firsthand, right where the wine is made.
Spain is one of the world's most captivating wine countries, with ancient vineyards, diverse terroirs, and family-run wineries that often feel more like home than business. Visiting a winery here isn't just about tasting wine; it's about feeling the land, hearing the passion in the winemakers' voices, and immersing yourself in a centuries-old tradition.
Since I had a few days in Barcelona, I decided to dedicate an entire day to exploring a nearby wine valley.
💡A quick tip: it's best to book your winery visits in advance, as most operate on fixed schedules and tastings may not be available at your preferred time. Also, please don't assume everyone speaks English; it's always good to come prepared with a few phrases or a translator app.
For this trip, I went with my husband and friends, and we hired a driver with a car. The route isn't exactly short, and taxis aren't ideal for this kind of experience. It takes about an hour to reach the first winery (depending on traffic), but the ride is worth it.
First stop: Sant Sadurní d'Anoia
Our first destination was Sant Sadurní d'Anoia, a charming town west of Barcelona and the undisputed capital of Cava, Spain's iconic sparkling wine. Nestled in the Penedès region, it's home to more than 80 producers and is considered one of the best places in the country for wine tasting.
If you love sparkling wine or want to understand the traditional method behind it, this is a must-visit. Some wineries in the area offer half- or full-day tours on platforms like GetYourGuide, making it easy to organize your visit in advance.
What struck me most about Sant Sadurní d'Anoia was its maze of tiny, one-way streets and the numerous wineries discreetly hidden behind unassuming facades. You often won't spot a tasting room from the outside, which adds a certain charm and mystery.
Our chosen winery, for example, had an entrance that looked like simple garage doors. But behind them? A whole world of tradition and craftsmanship.
Recaredo
One of the most respected sparkling wine producers in Spain, Recaredo is known for its long-aged, biodynamic sparkling wines under the Corpinnat label, a category created by top Cava houses to set higher standards for quality and origin.
Winery visit by appointment only. There are a few tasting experiences available:
Cellar Tour (2 or 2.5 hours)
Cellar + Vineyard Tour (4 hours)
I did "The Secrets of Time" cellar tour tasting €90 per person, 2.5 hours.
The visit begins in Recaredo's historic cellar (which is fantastic), where you'll learn about the family's winemaking philosophy, their commitment to biodynamic agriculture, and the evolution of sparkling wine in the region.
One of the highlights? Tasting their signature Recaredo Serral del Vell, disgorged by hand right before you, a ritual reserved exclusively for on-site visitors.
Unfortunately, photography and video are not allowed inside the cellar, so you'll have to trust me when I say that the atmosphere is magical.
Arched tunnels, aged bottles, and the quiet sense that time moves differently here. After the cellar, the experience continues in a cozy tasting room, where we sampled:
Two long-aged Corpinnat Brut Nature sparkling wines (white and rosé)
Two expressive white wines from Celler Credo, Recaredo's still wine project, focused on native varieties and minimal intervention.
And just like that, after the last glass had found its way to the heart, it was time to move on to the next winery, which was an hour's drive away (or about two hours from Barcelona).
Open: |
More Wineries to Explore in Penedès
Since I didn’t have enough days to visit all the wineries I had on my list, I’m leaving these here in case you have a bit more time to explore the Penedès region. Each of them is known for its distinctive approach to winemaking and offers something special:
Raventós i Blanc – A pioneering estate known for its deep commitment to biodynamic farming and for leaving the Cava DO to create a higher-quality sparkling wine movement.
website | instagramGramona – Famous for long-aged, gastronomic sparkling wines. Their family has been crafting Cava for over 150 years.
website | instagramCaves Codorníu – One of the oldest wineries in Spain and a true Cava institution, with a stunning modernist cellar
website | instagramFamília Torres – A household name in Spanish wine, Torres combines scale with a genuine focus on sustainability, innovation, and heritage.
website | instagram
If your itinerary allows a bit more time in the region, these are definitely worth checking out.
Second stop: Priorat Region
From the coast to the mountains, our next wine stop was in the Priorat region, located southwest of Barcelona. It's one of only two Spanish wine regions with the prestigious DOQ (Denominación de Origen Calificada) status, which guarantees the highest standards of quality and origin.
The region has 12 officially recognized villages, each with its own unique terroir. Steep slopes, ancient vines, and a rare mix of black slate and quartz soil (llicorella) give Priorat wines their powerful, mineral-rich character.
Our chosen winery is in Poboleda, one of the cooler subzones of Priorat, which is ideal for growing elegant, structured red wines.
Celler Mas Doix
Perched on a hillside with panoramic views of the mountains, vineyards, and the village below, Mas Doix is a family-run winery with deep historical roots.
The Doix and Llagostera families have been connected to viticulture here since 1850. However, the modern chapter of the winery began in 1998 with a renewed focus on small-production, high-quality wines.
The Mas Doix experience includes a walk through the cellar and surrounding vineyards, a detailed overview of their winemaking process, and an exploration of Priorat's dramatic terroir.
You can choose between several tastings: 5, 7, 8 or 10 wines.
I did a tasting “The names of the land” - 7 wines (€80 per person)
Our guide was Luis Willaert, the winery manager. Beyond the formal tour, he surprised us with a spontaneous tasting of freshly harvested grapes straight from the boxes outside the winery, just before workers crushed them. All grapes used here are hand-harvested, adding a personal touch to every bottle.
The tasting was in a private room with panoramic windows overlooking the vineyards. It was peaceful, unhurried, and generous, a perfect moment to appreciate the intensity and finesse of Priorat reds.
Luis also shared some local restaurant recommendations that serve their wines. Back in Barcelona, we visited one of them - Carnal Steak House, and ordered two bottles of Mas Doix to pair with the grilled meats.
If you're curious about that dinner, I included all the details in my latest article Barcelona Food Guide
Open: |
More Wineries to Explore in Priorat
Priorat is a small and powerful region, and there are numerous hidden gems beyond the well-known names. If you decide to stay longer or come back for a deeper wine dive, here are a few more wineries from my list for your exploration.
Celler Pasanau – Located at one of the highest points in Priorat, their bold reds reflect the elevation, climate, and slate soil beautifully.
website | instagramPerinet – Their tour and tasting experiences are among the most structured and scenic in the region, perfect for those who love architecture and bold red blends.
website | instagramClos Figueras – A beautiful estate just outside Gratallops, offering relaxed tastings with food in a lovely garden setting. Their wines are rich, expressive, and age-worthy.
website | instagramFinca Mas d’en Gil – A historic estate producing elegant, layered wines that reflect the complexity of Priorat’s terroir. The visit includes a walk through olive groves, and old vines
website | instagram
If you choose to spend more time in Priorat, these wineries will give you a deeper, more personal taste of the region.
Final thoughts
This wine-tasting journey through Spain made me realize how different it feels compared to what I've experienced in Napa, Temecula, or Santa Barbara, California.
In Spain, it's not just about the wine, it's about passion, history, and a deep connection to the land. Every visit felt more personal. The winemakers were genuinely open, happy to share stories, and answer even the most curious questions. Their love for what they do shines through in every glass, making the experience a memorable yet meaningful.
Now, a peaceful 2-hour drive back to Barcelona awaits, with views, music, and the aftertaste of great wine.
If you'd like to read more about my wine journey in California, here's my story from the other side of the world: Sipping Through Napa: A Trip Into Wine and Beauty
Want more delicious discoveries?
Subscribe to my newsletter for exclusive wine pairings, dining tips, handpicked recommendations, and the best food and travel finds, all in one place - delivered straight to your inbox!