Cava Houses in the Penedes
A private tour through its vineyards and cellars
The Penedès, birthplace of Catalonia's traditional method
Before the word "cava" existed as such, the Penedès was already making sparkling wine using the same method as Champagne: a second fermentation inside the bottle itself, the one that creates the fine, persistent bubbles you recognise in a good glass. Xarel·lo, macabeo and parellada are the three Catalan grapes that make it possible, and here, in the heart of the Penedès, is where it's easiest to understand why.
The vineyards: straight in among the vines
The visit starts in the vineyard: you're taken in among the rows of xarel·lo, macabeo and parellada while you learn why these three grapes, are what make cava what it is.
The cava house: from the tanks to the cellars where it ages
After the vineyards, you're welcomed by a house with generations of history behind it: the real place where it's made. You see the tanks where the base wine ferments, then head down to the underground cellars where the cava ages in the dark, bottle upon bottle, until the moment the sediment is removed and it's ready to drink.
The tasting, with pairing: the perfect ending
The visit closes the way a cava story should close: a guided tasting with cold-dish pairing, learning to tell a young cava from a great reserva and why time in the bottle is really what makes the difference.
What's included
● Pickup and transfer from your hotel in Barcelona (or wherever you prefer)
● Private guide throughout the visit
● A guided walk through the vineyards, with an explanation of the grape varieties
● Visit to the cava house: fermentation tanks and underground ageing cellars
● Guided cava tasting with cold-dish pairing
● Duration: 2 hours on site + 2 hours of travel (4 hours total)
Who it's for
Cava is, almost by definition, the drink of celebration, so this route works especially well for a romantic getaway or toasting something worth celebrating, though it's just as good a plan simply because you feel like it, no excuse needed.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to know about cava?
No, the tasting is guided start to finish, suited to any level, from curious first-timers to cava lovers.
Is it always the same winery?
We work with several leading family-run cava houses in the Penedès and select the visit based on availability, to always guarantee you the best possible experience.
How is this different from the Wineries or Priorat routes?
This is the only one of the three focused on cava (sparkling wine) rather than wine. Perfect if what you're after is celebration and bubbles. Wineries and Priorat are both wine.
Is it really a private route?
Yes, 100% private. Just you and the guide in the winery. Not shared with other groups.