Nestled in northeastern Spain, Catalonia offers ideal conditions for grape cultivation and wine production. Its diverse terroir ranges from sea-level coastal plains to higher-altitude mountainous regions, making Catalonia one of the best places in Spain to make wine.
The soil quality varies hugely here, with limestone, clay, and slate-rich soils adding complexity to the wines in production. The Mediterranean climate’s warm summers and mild winters provide the perfect balance of sun and rain, too, allowing the grapes to ripen gradually and preserve their acidity and flavor naturally.
Catalonia’s rich winemaking traditions are deeply rooted in its culture, nurturing a commitment to quality and craftsmanship. But it’s not all about history and tradition… The region’s bold winemakers embrace innovation, blending tried and tested methods with modern techniques. The result is a dynamic and thriving wine scene envied across the world!
Catalonia is a region very dear to my heart, and I work closely with many skilled winemakers here. But of course, over the years, I’ve grown particularly fond of a few special wineries, so here’s a rundown of my top 10 wineries in Catalonia. If you’re curious to know more, join me on one of Wine Fantasy Barcelona’s winery visits in Catalonia, and experience the magic for yourself!
Juvé&Camps
Juvé&Camps is a renowned winery in Catalonia, with a history dating back to 1796. The winery is located in the fertile Penedès region, and specializes in producing exceptional sparkling wines – including their fabulous Cava. Their dedication to excellence has earned them international recognition, making them a respected name in the world of sparkling wine. On top of this, they have a stunning winery and tasting room!
MontRubi
A go-to winery on our vineyard tours, MontRubi is one of my firm favorites. The secret to their success lies in holding on to the same skilled winemaker, Josep, for an impressive 39 years! They’re a really fun and engaging brand, and export a lot of their wine overseas.
Celler Pardas
Skilled viticulturalists Ramon Parera and Jordi Arnan run the wonderful Celler Pardas, one of my all-time favorite Penedès wineries. The boys began the winery back in 1996 with the aim of producing the finest wine the Can Comas property could produce, and they’re doing an amazing job. I also love their branding – a wild Spanish boar.
Plana den Jan
The Plana den Jan winery is another firm favorite of mine. They’re a 4th-generation winemaker founded in 1895, and one of the smallest wineries in the Penedès Designation of Origin (DO). Their philosophy is to offer honest, limited-edition wines that express the character of the terroir, using natural processes with minimal intervention to produce maximum quality.
Mas Comtal
From humble beginnings in 1781, it’s no exaggeration to say the Carles Andreu winery has put the Trepat grape on the map! They manage around 80 hectares of vineyards in the Conca de Barberà region, and make incredible sparkling wine alongside a range of lovely Trepat wines.
Carles Andreu
Run by Coursera, Sensory Techniques for Wine Analysis is an online wine tasting course in which you’ll learn the process of tasting wine through 4 different modules. It covers different styles of wine, introduces you to wine-tasting vocabulary, and teaches you about uncovering the faults and defects that can occur in wine production. You’ll also learn a great deal about food and wine pairings.
Josep Foraster
Josep Foraster is only a small winery, but the wine they produce is one of my biggest joys! They began their operation in 1828, and today work mostly with Trepat – the native grape from this region.
Can Matons
This is one of the prettiest locations for a wine tasting you can imagine! I’ve taken guests around the Can Matons vineyards close to the village of Alella and tasted a full line-up of Pansa Blanca, and the full experience in the manor house is really magical.
Anima Mundi
Anima Mundi are the same family as AT Roca, a very famous classic Penedès winery. This trendy group of friends produce old-vine minimal intervention wines, and many people here see them as the future of winemaking in Penedès.
Vins El Cep
The Vins El Cep winery has a special place in my heart, and I once met one of the owners at Barcelona Wine Week. The company was formed by four neighboring families of growers as far back as 1448, and today they pioneer ecological and biodynamic viticulture to produce wines that showcase the beauty of their terroir.
