New-Wave Spanish wines in Catalonia

Priorat, Montsant & Penedès Wine Tour

Overview

See the future of the Priorat and Montsant wine regions.

Immerse yourself in the artisan wines of Priorat and Penedès on this three day trip from Barcelona. You’ll visit small wineries that are creating the future of Priorat and Montsant wine. From ethereal mountain wines to the wines of Priorat’s borderlands, you’ll see that there’s plenty to discover in Priorat. On your way back to Barcelona, you’ll clean your palate with the fine sparkling Cava wines of Recaredo. Finish your trip with a dinner at one of Barcelona’s top fine-dining bistros.

Barcelona → Priorat & Montsant → Penedes → Barcelona

☾ 3 Nights

PRIORAT WINE REGION

Priorat is the star of Cataluña’s wine lineup. Since a few brave winemakers recuperated old vines here in the 1970s, Priorat’s quality has exploded, along with its reputation. The terrain is dramatic: mountains topped with stone look down on vine-covered terraces and villages built in seemingly impossible spots. This is not an easy place to make wine. You’ll find many small wineries here growing vines on tiny plots, often using organic and biodynamic techniques. This and other innovations have helped Priorat’s trajectory continue upward. There are new regulations based on soil and climate studies with characteristic Catalan precision. International grape varieties have happily been pushed into the back seat by local Garnacha and Cariñena. Producers new and old have sought to make lighter, fresher wines that don’t need years to calm down. The result? Priorat is here to stay as one of the best wine regions in the world.

THE WINES OF PRIORAT

The modern history of Priorat can be said to begin with the release of the 1989 vintage from the five founding producers who went to this region in search of wine greatness. What they found were old vines of Garnacha and Cariñena planted on slate soils. Most early Priorat producers added in some international varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah. New French oak was preferred. Everything came together to produce very powerful wines with enough elegance that critics took notice, awarding points and cementing the reputation of the region.

Today’s Priorats are not the same as they were in the 1980s. International grapes have become less attractive, with many producers reducing or removing them entirely. Cariñena has gone from an afterthought to a key for many producers: some of Priorat’s top wines today are 100% Cariñena. New oak was reduced, larger format barrels came into use, and grapes were picked earlier. All of this means that today’s Priorats are more accessible, fresher, and can often be appreciated in their youth when in the past it might have been mandatory to wait five years or more before considering opening a top bottle. Cariñena has also helped keep alcohol levels down in a region where summer can get very hot and where Garnacha can easily exceed 15%.

New regulations have been put in place, more closely following a Burgundian model than any region in Spain. There are village wines and three tiers of single-vineyard wines, with the top two loosely equivalent to Premier Cru and Grand Cru. Based on historical records and soil studies, the Priorat was divided into twelve villages and hundreds of named vineyard zones. Producers can apply to have their individual vineyards classified to use single vineyard labelling. The new rules ensure that grapes come from a single village, vineyard area, or vineyard. Each increase in classification carries with it other restrictions including limited yields, minimum vine age, and minimum percentages of local grapes. Priorat has also begun to regulate the term old vines (vinyes velles) so that any wines using it come from certified old vine plots that are at least 75 years old. These new regulations constitute the most advanced attempt in Spain to create a Burgundy-inspired hierarchy of quality.

Priorat produces almost exclusively red wines, but Garnacha Blanca-based white Priorats have caused some stir. Nearby Terra Alta may be more famous for this grape, but in the Priorat they are making excellent savory wines that pair very well with food. In some cases there are quite old vines. Look out for whites made from other varieties such as Xarello, Macabeo, or even Pedro Ximénez.

MONTSANT WINE REGION

Montsant surrounds the Priorat and has long been seen as the region’s little brother. Today, however, Montsant is home to some of Catalonia’s most exciting and innovative wineries. While Montsant doesn’t have much of the Priorat’s special slate soil, it has proven to be a great place to grow Garnacha. Montsant wines tend to be lighter and fresher than Priorats, making red Montsant a popular choice with food in Catalonia. The friendlier terrain and lack of global investment have also allowed young winemakers to start up in Montsant, producing all sorts of intriguing experimental wines. The titans of Priorat have started projects in Montsant as well, from Terroir al Limit to Sara Pérez, bringing welcome attention. This is a region to watch.

PENEDÈS WINE REGION

Penedès is a land of rolling hills and the source of Spain’s most famous sparkling wine: Cava. Cava has gotten a reputation as cheap bubbles around the world, but that’s not all there is to the wine here. Quality producers using the Cava brand or new invention Corpinnat are making world-class sparkling wines that age for years before release. Organic and biodynamic viticulture using indigenous grapes is bringing the vineyard back into focus in a region long run by big bottlers. Many producers are even showcasing the local Xarello grape in fine varietal white wines. There is very good cuisine in the Penedes, combining ingredients from the hills and the sea. The winery experiences are first-rate with jeep tours of the vineyards, hilltop wine tastings, long-aged sparkling wines to taste, sparkling-wine pairing meals and more.

New-Wave Spanish wines in Catalonia

Priorat, Montsant & Penedès Wine Tour

DAY 1

MOUNTAIN PRIORAT WINES

Step into the high-altitude side of the Priorat on arrival in the region. Start with a visit to Terroir al Limit, the winery that put fresher Priorat on the map. Then, it’s time to taste old-vine wines made in tiny quantities at Sandra Doix’s winery in Porrera. Lunch at Brichs in Falset means creative Catalan cuisine with small-production wines.

  • Terroir al Limit winery visit

  • Sandra Doix winery visit

  • Lunch at Brichs

  • Overnight Priorat

Terroir al Limit Winery Visit

Dominik Huber, the driving force behind Terroir al Limit, came to wine through his passion for gastronomy. A fortuitous introduction to the family behind Mas Martinet led Domink to harvests in the Priorat and starting his own winery near the tiny village of Torroja. From the outset, the wines were different: fresh, expressive, light in color and in alcohol. At a time when most Priorats were stunningly powerful, these odd wines were at first appreciated by few. Year by year, the reputation of Terroir al Limit increased until Wine Advocate finally gave Les Manyes 2016 100 points: a new, fresh Priorat had taken the throne.

Today, Terroir al Limit makes many small-production wines, red and white. From the fresh, drinkable Terroir Històric wines to the ethereal single vineyard wines, Terroir al Limit’s wines might completely change anyone’s perception of what Priorat means. Though the reds may garner the most fame, the whites from Terroir al Limit are some of the region’s greatest wines. Terroir Sense Fronteres, the winery’s sister in Montsant, has also helped the neighboring region receive the attention it deserves. The side project of enologist Tatjana in Montsant has also made waves.

Sandra Doix Winery Visit

Sandra is the sixth generation of the Doix family, one of the oldest winemaking families in the Priorat. After making her name at Mas Doix, a joint project between her family and their cousins, Sandra set out to make her own wines from her old Cariñena and Garnacha vineyards near Porrera. Inherited wisdom has allowed vines to survive for over a century in these steep plots. Sandra now makes several small-production wines that are some of Priorat’s most exciting new releases. Her village wine, from Poboleda, blends Carignan with Garnacha, while the Vi de Paratge (Priorat’s version of Premier Cru) Les Salanques is 100% old vine Carignan. Both reds feature the vibrancy and concentration that Poboleda is known for and offer subtle, luscious drinking. Her new white, from the Pedro Ximenez grape, is rightly named Peculiar. Though Pedro Ximenez is planted throughout the Priorat, varietal wines from this grape are unheard-of. Bright and honeyed, this is one to watch within the exciting world of white Priorat.

Lunch at Brichs

A new addition to Falset’s fine dining scene, Brichs brings together traditional Catalan flavors with innovative techniques. Just a few minutes from the old town, Brichs is housed in modern building with enormous windows and an outdoor terrace in front. The dining room inside is comfortable yet spacious, the perfect place to settle in after a day of travel. Whether you order à la carte or opt for the tasting menu, you’ll encounter traditional Priorat dishes like canelons alongside original creations and presentations using the best ingredients from Cataluña and other parts of Spain. The wine list features a range of wines from Priorat and Montsant, including iconic bottles and small-production wines that lend themselves to food pairing. The service is attentive and the staff will help you have a fantastic food and wine experience.

DAY 2

THE HEART OF MONTSANT & PRIORAT

Today you’ll focus on the western side of Priorat, where the region’s most famous wines were born. Start at top Montsant producer Acústic, one of the neighboring region’s innovators. A wine-pairing lunch at Clos Figueras will give you great farm-to-table cuisine paired with classic wines. Then, explore the terroir of Bellmunt in Priorat at Mas d’en Gil, whose wines follow a Burgundian hierarchy and transmit pure soil.

  • Acústic Celler winery visit

  • Clos Figueras winery wine-pairing lunch

  • Mas d’en Gil winery visit

  • Overnight Priorat

Acústic Celler Winery Visit

Just outside Falset, across the border into Priorat’s neighboring wine region of Montsant, Acústic is one of Catalonia’s star wineries. Albert Jané left a winemaking heritage in the Penedès to start this artisan winery. Today he uses organic farming in his very old vineyards to make expressive, complex wines. The vineyards have a rare diversity of soils and elevations, giving rise to highly distinct flavors. All the grapes here are indigenous, from red Garnacha and Cariñena to Garnacha Blanca, Macabeo and rare Pansal on the white side. Jané’s wines have been chosen as some of the best Garnachas in the world and the best wines in Catalonia in recent years.

Clos Figueras Wine-pairing Lunch

After watching and helping elevate the Priorat from his position as a top wine négociant in Bordeaux, Christopher Cannan decided to start a winery of his own in Gratallops, the heart of the Priorat. With the advice of his friend René Barbier he acquired some excellent vineyards near Gratallops and began making red and white Priorats in a small winery. Today, he has added a cozy restaurant where you can enjoy light Catalan cuisine based on products from the region, some grown in the estate’s garden. Since the Clos Figueras vineyards had very old olive trees planted, the winery also makes their own Arbequina olive oil. In the restaurant you can pair the dishes with Clos Figueras wines or choose from a curated selection of wines from Spain and around the world.

Mas d’en Gil Winery Visit

Mas d’en Gil is one of the oldest wine estates in the Priorat, with wines from the estate being bottled as early as the 19th century. In 1998, the property was bought by current owners Pere Rovira and his family, who have a long history making wine in the Penedès. The vineyards and winery were restored and Mas d’en Gil began bottling Priorat wines. From the beginning, the family was focused on sustainability and biodiversity on the property. Today, they’ve incorporated organic and biodynamic production and produce olive oil and vinegar from the property. The property has five valleys, yielding vineyards with a variety of soils and exposures. Among the wines of Mas d’en Gil you’ll find sincere, expressive village and single vineyard wines based on old vines and local grape varieties. This is a perfect producer to discover the expression of a lesser known area of the Priorat.

DAY 3

CAVA IN THE PENEDÈS & BARCELONA

You’ll head to the Penedès, the home of Catalan sparkling wine Cava. Visit Recaredo, legendary producer of long-aged sparkling wines. Then it’s on to Barcelona, where you’ll have a farewell dinner at relaxed yet elegant bistro Nairod.

  • Private transfer to the Penedès wine region

  • Recaredo winery visit

  • Transfer to Barcelona

  • Dinner at Nairod

  • Overnight Barcelona

Recaredo Winery Visit

If you don’t believe that sparkling wines from the Penedès can challenge the finest Champagnes, Recaredo is ready to prove you wrong. Since 1924, they have been crafting quality Cavas with painstaking precision and artisan techniques. Recaredo’s wines are all completely dry, aging for years in cellars dug under the town of Sant Sadurní d’Anoia. The focus on quality is obsessive. Rather than convenient metal tops, Recaredo ages their wines with corks before disgorgement, which is done without freezing the neck of the bottle. In the vineyards, all work is organic and biodynamic in the family’s own vineyards focused on local quality grapes Xarel·lo and Macabeo. In 2019, quality concerns even led Recaredo to become a founding member of Corpinnat, the breakaway group of producers who left the Cava D.O. to go their own way with strict production, quality, and aging standards. The result of it all is a line of sparkling wines that are among the greatest in the region from top to bottom. Recaredo also produces excellent still white wines from the Penedès, a category whose reputation only continues to increase.

Dinner at Nairod in Barcelona

Nairod is a favorite of chefs in Barcelona, and for good reason. Chef David Rustarazo cooks some of the best food in Barcelona without pretension. The short menu changes frequently with the seasons and the whims of the chef. In game season there’s game, there’s always great fish and seafood and meat and vegetables that frame them perfectly. David and his team seem to never tire of cooking, spending hours and days preparing dishes. Deep flavors, patience and personality are what draw diners to Nairod day after day.

DAY 4

DEPARTURE

  • Private transfer to the Barcelona airport or train station for departure

HOTEL

Priorat - 2 nights

Mas d’en Bruno - Occupying a historic farmhouse in the countryside outside the village of Torroja, Mas d’en Bruno is a full-service luxury addition to Priorat’s hotel landscape. This Relais & Chateaux hotel has everything you need for an enjoyable stay in the Priorat. The rooms are new but maintain the building’s character. You’ll find a fine-dining restaurant, a cocktail bar, and a wine bar with a very complete selection of Priorat and other wines. This is a great place to taste the rare wines of Clos de l’Obac, as the family had a hand in the project. The spa and swimming pool are great places to recuperate while touring the Priorat. The hotel, surrounded by stunning landscapes, is a perfect base for Priorat exploration.






Barcelona - 1 night

Hotel H10 Casa Mimosa - This 4-star hotel occupies a Modernist palace from the 19th century just down the street from Gaudí’s La Pedrera. Luxurious rooms offer views of one of the Eixample’s iconic streets. The Modernist garden terrace and rooftop with views of La Pedrera make this a truly special hotel in Barcelona.

INCLUDED

  • 3 nights hotel, double occupancy

  • breakfast daily in the hotels

  • expert private guides

  • private premium tours and tastings at wineries

  • 2 lunches with wine

  • restaurant reservations and recommendations

  • private transfers to and from the Penedes and Priorat from Barcelona

  • private transport for all wine tours

  • full trip planning

  • in-country trip assistance and on-the-ground support

  • Epicurean Ways expertise

NOT INCLUDED

  • flights to/from Spain and flights within Spain

  • tips to guides and drivers (optional but appreciated)

  • travel insurance (recommended) Note that TravelSafe travel insurance can be arranged through Epicurean Ways

  • extra charges in hotels (minibar, room service, etc)

A note on winery visits, restaurant selections and hotels

All tours, experiences and hotels are subject to availability and will be confirmed upon booking the trip.

You will be accompanied by a driver-guide during your wine touring. Your visits and tastings will be private and with the winemaker, a family member or an expert who knows the winery and the wines well. We work with the wineries to make sure that you taste the best and most representative wines during each visit. It is sometimes possible to arrange extended tastings that include old vintages or rare wines. We have an extensive group of wineries whose owners we know and with whom we work regularly, so we can guarantee high-level visits even if a winery has to be substituted. If you have an interest in visiting a particular producer please let us know.

We include restaurant concierge service as part of your trip. Note that our restaurant suggestions are just that–suggestions. Places we love, places to go back to time after time. We recommend these places after years of experience eating in Spain and Portugal together with frequent research and input from our local partners. We aspire to guide your choices with information on the styles of cuisine and restaurants; the choice on where to eat is yours based on your preferences and desires.

We have included hotel options ranging from 5-star luxury properties to small boutique hotels. Let us know your preferences and we will tailor the hotel choices for you.

TRIP PRICES

Note that we can customize this trip for you. Add days in your arrival or departure city or in other locations or make changes to the experiences, winery visits, restaurants, or hotels included in the trip. Whatever it is, we’re here to work with you. Once you’re happy with the trip plan and have some idea of your dates we will calculate and send you the price.