Imagine stepping out of your hotel in the vibrant city of Barcelona (or nearby towns like Sitges) and into a luxurious Mercedes, waiting to whisk you away on an exclusive wine-tasting adventure. With the sparkling Mediterranean Sea on one side and majestic mountains on the other, Barcelona’s privileged location serves as the gateway to the ancient wine region of Penedès, just an hour away. Whether you’re a seasoned connoisseur or new to the world of wines, our three-day VIP tour promises to immerse you in the rich flavors and breathtaking landscapes that will delight food and wine lovers.
The ancient wine region of Penedès has been producing wine since Phoenician times. It has been internationally famous since the 19th century, when many large Chateaux-style estates (such as Codorniu and Freixenet) began exporting their ‘traditional method’ sparkling wines. Cava is made with the native Catalan grapes Xarel·lo and Parellada and is often blended with Chardonnay and Macabeo (known as “Viura” in other Spanish wine regions, such as Rioja).
In the last few decades, the Penedès has become synonymous with ultra-high-quality red wines, with pioneering Miguel Torres and Jean Leon making waves in the wine world with the cult wines “Mas la Plana” and “Zemis.” The region is home to hundreds of wineries, from enormous “Modernista” (similar to Art Nouveau) cellars to small boutique wineries, nearly all family-owned. Apart from vineyards, Penedès is also home to scenic olive groves, peach trees, and almonds.
The cuisine here is Mediterranean, focusing on seafood, fresh vegetables, olive oil, and wine. On this trip, you will visit a variety of contrasting cellars and enjoy vineyard tours followed by spectacular private wine tastings. Gastronomy plays a major role, and you will dine in some of the best eateries in the area.
Are you ready to splurge on a luxurious wine-tasting experience? If you are a couple or a group of friends who enjoy the finer things in life, contact us today to start planning your next bespoke food and wine adventure.
Signature journey
Highlights include Elite Transportation, Gourmet Experience, Luxurious Accommodation, and Fabulous Excursions.
Day 1Barcelona-Penedès
Mirador de las Caves
Your chauffeur-driven luxury Mercedes will collect you in Barcelona (hotel, airport, nearby coastal town, or port) this morning. And you will head south to the gorgeous Penedès wine country, about a one-hour drive.
Your first visit will be to the fabulous Agustí Torelló estate; it is here that the prestigious Kripta is made, especially known for its unique amphora-shaped bottle. After a private tour, enjoy a VIP tasting of their top cavas, including their lively brut, gran reserva, and the renowned Kripta. You will move on to Llopart next; here, the family has been producing delicious cavas since the end of the 18th century, steeped in family tradition. It makes for a fascinating tour, finishing with some of their finest bubbles.
Lunch will follow at the beautiful Mirador de las Caves in the town of Subirats. The setting is stunning, and you will not be disappointed by the striking views of Montserrat. Here, the specialty is the barbecue. Everything you can imagine is perfectly barbecued, with a mouth-watering, authentic wood flavor. It is then just a 25-minute drive to Vilafranca del Penedès. Enjoy a leisurely stroll around town, taking in the historic Basilica of Santa Maria and shopping in the gourmet shops. Or, if you are feeling more energetic, you can pedal through the vines on a vineyard bike tour.
After this, your chauffeur will transfer you to your unique hotel, the Mas Tinell, right in the heart of the vines. This multi-award-winning hotel is quite unforgettable, with its design inspired by the riddling rack and featuring a Gaudian-style mosaic on the roof. The wine theme continues in the rooms, including some heavenly grape-based products for bathing.
Day 2Touring in Wine Country
En Rima Gastronomic Space
Once you’ve enjoyed your breakfast, your chauffeur will greet you with a smile, ready to guide you to the picturesque Pares Balta estate, where the day’s adventure begins. Your passionate hosts will enthusiastically lead you through a personalized VIP tour, explaining their immensely successful organic viticultural practices. You will then taste their range, which includes some excellent still whites and exceptional cavas, but the show’s star here is their cult red wine Absis.
Leaving the Pares Balta estate behind, a scenic 20-minute drive through the lush landscape leads you to Albet I Noya, where the steep terraces carved into the Western slopes of the Ordal Mountains provide optimum ripening for the winery’s organically cultivated vines. Here you will learn about their organic wines and enjoy a private VIP tour of the immaculate cellar before sitting for a tasting, including their prized Lignum Red.
Lunch follows at Cal Xim, where traditional, seasonal Catalan cuisine is lovingly prepared. The owner/chef, a personal friend of Cellar Tours, will greet you and, time permitting, will lead you on a short tour of his extraordinary wine cellar. A huge wood-fired grill takes center stage, cooking local game and vegetables to perfection. The lamb and pig cheeks are also highly recommended, and all washed down with more sublime Penedès wines from their cracking selection. Before your chauffeur drops you back to your plush abode, wander around the village after lunch.
Back at your hotel, you will have time to visit the onsite winery and sample their wines before getting ready for dinner.
The En Rima Gastronomic Space is a captivating concept; beyond the luscious masterpieces in every dish, you will appreciate its dedication to Slow Food and Km 0. Such delicacies may include: “Beetroot with Duck Truffle,” “Quail Marinade with prawns and crunchy vegetables,” or “Black Penedès Rooster with Cabernet reduction, hazelnuts, and dried peach,” all of which pair expertly with wines from the hotel’s winery – exquisite!
Day 3Penedes - Sitges - Barcelona
Gramona winery
This morning, you will start with a VIP tour and tasting at Gramona. Not only will you enjoy sampling and savoring their stellar wines, but you will delight in hearing the romantic story about how Gramona came about, from supplying wine to phylloxera-ridden France, love, dedication, and hard work, quickly becoming recognized as pioneers in the world of Cava.
Then it’s just a 15-minute drive to Nadal, which boasts an equally engaging history, having been founded in 1510 and passed down from father to son through the generations. Stroll around the picture-perfect vineyards and bewitching cellars, or, for the slightly more adventurous, you can take it in by Segway. They are all about experiences here, and your tasting will be accompanied by a range of aperitifs, including local cheeses, cured Iberian hams, and chocolate.
We then have a wonderful farewell lunch prepared for you at Fragata in Sitges. You will quickly realize why Sitges is called the “Jewel on the Mediterranean”: glistening waters lap the pristine shore, and the palm-lined boulevard and pretty, narrow streets are idyllic. Your table awaits on the terrace looking over the marina. Fragata has proudly served some of the area’s best paella and seafood dishes for over 50 years.
After your magnificent lunch, take a digestive walk around this delightful town before your chauffeur transfers you back to Barcelona. As you head back, we hope you carry with you not just bottles of exquisite wine but also timeless memories of sun-drenched vineyards, romantic histories, and the vibrant spirit of Catalonia. Thank you for sharing this journey with us. Your chauffeur will ensure a smooth drop-off at the airport, port, or your desired location in Barcelona. Buen Viaje, and until we meet again!
Cellar Tours private itineraries include chauffeur-led transportation, carefully selected hotels, winery appointments, restaurant planning, and practical support before and during your journey.
Depending on the destination and proposal, your tour may also include private guides, tastings, special experiences, cultural visits, regional transfers, and dining reservations.
Your custom proposal will clearly show what is included, what is optional, and what is not included.
Our custom itineraries include chauffeur-led transportation, carefully selected hotels, private winery appointments & tastings, restaurant planning, and support before and during your travel.
International flights, travel insurance, personal expenses, optional spa treatments, gratuities and meals or tastings not listed in your itinerary are usually not included unless specifically stated.
All itineraries are private and pre-arranged for your party.
Yes, 100%. Share mobility considerations, allergies, dietary preferences, and pacing needs early so we can adapt hotels, transport, restaurants, and visits wherever possible.
Scott and Pamela, New York
It’s obvious that you only visit the most friendly and personable wineries. We did enjoy the contrast of our day which featured one more family oriented winery and the other with more name recognition
It was a real treat to see what opportunities await for a winery and where another’s success had already come to be realized. What we did love was when it came to the tasting – one of the winemakers was impressed with the selection of vintages arranged for our tour! Everything meet and exceeded our expectations!
