An Introduction to Catalonia's Famous Wine Region

As you leave Barcelona, you'll strike out northwest from the city towards the famed mountains of Montserrat. The characteristic mountains of the area make for some beautiful scenery to enjoy from behind the car windshield. As you swing west toward Penedès, the small village of Gelida is home to an impressive castle, commanding wide panoramas of the surrounding landscapes toward Montserrat.
The crumbling 10th-century castle is a photogenic stop, with an impressive church as well.
Open Hours: 09:00 – 15:00 Tuesday – Friday 10:00 – 14:00 Saturday – Sunday

In the town of Vilafranca del Penedès, the capital of this wine-growing region, a museum showcases the story of wine in Penedès. You'll watch movies to see how it's made, admire historic tools that have been used to make the wine, and learn a lot about the conditions that make this one of the most celebrated wine regions in Spain. There's even a wine tasting at the end, giving you a hint of what to expect as you continue toward the vineyards.
Open Hours: 10:00 – 14:00 & 16:00 – 19:00 Tuesday – Saturday 10:00 – 14:00 Sundays.
From May until September: 10:00 – 19:00 Tuesday – Saturday & 10:00 – 14:00 Sundays.
Admission: 7 EUR. Tickets can be reserved in advance on their website.

After your visit to the museum, make sure to take some time to enjoy the impressive Basilica de Santa Maria in the square, right next to the wine museum.

On the outskirts of Vilafranca del Penedès, this fantastic restaurant sits among the grapevines and offers some sensational Catalan cuisine and regional wines. A perfect stop for lunch after your morning introduction to the region.
Open Hours: 13:00 – 16:00 Sunday – Thursday 13:00 – 16:00 & 21:00 – 23:00 Friday & Saturday Reservations are recommended on Fridays and the weekend. To make one, either send a message through their website or call ahead at +34 647 56 36 61.

After lunch, it's a short jump across the road to the Visitors Centre for the Torres winemaking family, one of the most famed names in the region. Here, a guided tour will let you sample some of their best wines, paired with four regional tapas dishes as well. You'll learn about the vineyard itself, and the impressive history behind one of Spain's most famous families.
Guests are also free to wander around the property as well, admiring the beautiful rows of grapevines and the rustic countryside scenery.
Open Hours: 09:00 – 18:00 Monday – Saturday 09:00 – 14:00 Sundays
For a tapas and wine tasting, make sure to book ahead on their official website.

After exploring one of the most famous wineries in the region, you'll continue deeper into the Penedès countryside, where the picturesque villages play backdrop to the hills of grapes. Pull into Sant Martí Sarroca to visit another castle, this one welcoming visitors to look around. From the castle, once again you'll be able to admire the gorgeous scenery on all sides.
Open Hours: 10:00 – 14:00 & 16:00 – 20:00 Thursday – Sunday
For a guided tour in English, it's recommended to call ahead (+34 938 99 16 69) to arrange it. Otherwise, visitors can wander through at their own pace.

In the next village over, you'll stop for dinner at the KM0 restaurant, which you can probably guess serves up the best of local cuisine and wine with minimal transportation involved.
Open Hours: 19:00 – midnight Tuesday – Wednesday 06:00 – 15:30 & 19:00 – midnight Thursday, Friday, Sunday 09:00 – 15:30 & 19:00 – midnight Saturday

Your first day of explorations through the Penedès wine region will end at the picturesque village of Pontons, where several accommodation options make for a great spot to rest after a long day. Get some sleep because there are more wineries, countryside restaurants, and impressive castles to explore tomorrow!