A Perfect Day Trip to Spain’s Penedès Wine Region

One of the leading Corpinnat producers in Penedès, Gramona was named No. 25 on The World’s 50 Best Vineyards list and offers one of the region’s finest and most intimate tasting experiences. Visits to this historic, family-run estate include tours through the cellars and vineyards, beautiful views of the Montserrat mountains and a deep-dive into the estate’s biodynamic farming practices. One highlight was watching horses plow through the vines, which is an ancient agricultural tradition that very few vineyards still maintain today (I had only witnessed it once before in Bordeaux at Château Smith Haut Lafitte, the winery at Les Sources de Caudalie). Before the tasting, one of the owners and winemakers, Roc Gramona, brought me into the estate’s library cellar to select a rare bottle from Gramona’s private collection, which we later enjoyed overlooking the vineyards and Montserrat. Visits here feel especially personal and immersive, and only a few tours are offered daily (the schedule varies by season). Special meals can also be arranged in the dining room, in which the Gramona wines are paired with seasonal produce from the biodynamic farm. Learn more.

For something much more casual, head to Cavas Blancher. This family-run Cava producer offers a refreshingly unpretentious experience centered around long tastings, generous hospitality and a local atmosphere. After a quick cellar tour that also included a visit through the winery’s small museum filled with winemaking artifacts, I sat with one of the owners, Josep Carbó Planas, and his wife, Lenna Chambers, for a laid-back tasting that felt more like being welcomed into someone’s home than visiting a formal winery. There’s a sandwich stand and barbecue area out back where locals gather to grill and drink Cava on weekends.

Located at Familia Torres winery, Familia Torres - Jardí Restaurant El Celleret served the type of wine country lunch that I was hoping to find in the Penedès: relaxed and surrounded by vines. I was looking for a restaurant experience that matched Francis Mallmann’s Fuegos de Apalta in the Colchagua Valley of Chile—or his restaurant at Château La Coste in Provence—and I was advised that Jardí would be the best bet. The indoor-outdoor restaurant serves modern Catalán cuisine in a contemporary, simple setting anchored around a large bar and terrace.

If you find yourself wanting something more casual, I was repeatedly pointed toward Restaurant Cal Xim for delicious food (it’s a place the locals go).

Known for producing both sparkling and still wines, Vins El Cep offers an intimate and welcoming tasting experience. Visits include tours through the vineyards and cellars, followed by tastings spanning both Cava and organic still wines produced on the estate. The winery is managed by the lovely Maite Esteve, co-owner and CEO, who welcomed me and curated a thoughtful, highly personalized experience.