How to Visit Cava Wineries Near Barcelona, Spain

Best Cava Wineries Near Barcelona

These Cava and Corpinnat producers all have tasting rooms in Sant Sadurní d’Anoia that are relatively easy to get to. And they offer winery tours and wine tastings in English.

I’d recommend sticking to two for a day trip. But you might be able to squeeze in a third if you time your tours and tastings right.

1. Codorníu

If you want to see where it all started, there’s no better place than Codorníu.

Josep Raventós Fatjó was the first to make Cava. He was inspired by a trip to the Champagne region in 1872. And thought, “Hey, I could make something similar using Spanish grapes.”

He was pretty successful, and the idea spread to others in the area. After phylloxera hit in the 1880s, many others followed his lead and replanted their vineyards with white grapes suitable for sparkling wine production.

Codorníu grew larger and larger with each generation. It was eventually inherited by Josep Maria Raventós i Blanc, who later left to found Raventós i Blanc (which, unfortunately, you can’t visit). But prior to doing that, he played a major role in expanding Codorníu.

Today, Codorníu is still one of the largest producers of Cava wines, making a wide range of sparkling wines from both indigenous and Champagne grape varieties. I particularly liked their rosé Cava at the tasting. And they have a premium collection of Reservas, Gran Reservas, and the top-tier Paraje Calificado.

Visiting Tips

The winery is a bit out of town. I walked to it, but be warned that it’s uphill and takes about a half hour from the train station. So, if you’re not up to it, you can catch a taxi from the station.

The 75-minute Discovery Tour is a great option that includes a guided tour where you learn about the production of Spanish Cava and visit the cellars. This is followed by a tasting in their Cava bar. Check the site for other wine experience options like food pairings, chocolate tasting, and Cava tasting courses.

2. Recaredo

Recaredo was founded in 1924 by Josep Mata Capellades, who named the winery after his father.

Recaredo can claim a few firsts in the Penedès wine region. They were the first to make a single varietal sparkling wine from 100% Xarel·lo. And they were the first to be certified biodynamic in 2010 (basically, a stricter version of organic).

I should also mention they were named Catalonia’s Best Winery in 2017 by the Catalan Association of Sommeliers. And in 2018, they joined Corpinnat.

Recaredo’s sparkling and still wines are aged at least 30 months, and some for as long as 30 years! I love the delicious brioche and toasty notes this gives their wines.

They also use natural cork stoppers for bottle aging rather than crown caps. They believe this better preserves the original character of the wine. But it requires removal (called disgorgement) by hand so it’s a lot of manual labor.

Visiting Tips

You can book an Origen Visit to tour the cellar and learn about how they make and age the wines. You’ll get to taste two of their aged Corpinnat sparkling wines and two of their Cellar Credo still wines.

Or you can opt for a private visit, where you’ll get to see the vineyard and enjoy food pairings with your tasting.

3. Gramona

Gramona is another Corpinnat producer. A bit of a romantic story, it was founded after the marriage of Pilar Batlle and Bartolomé Gramona. They started producing sparkling wines under the Gramona name and released the first one in 1961.

As with the requirements of Corpinnat, Gramona is all organic. And, like Recaredo, they are also certified biodynamic and use natural cork stoppers during aging.

The average age of Gramona’s sparkling wines is 6 years. Their flagship wine, Gramona Imperial, starts at 50 months. And then they go up from there at 7-12 years for the Ill Lustros label and 15+ for the Colección de Arte.

Visiting Tips

You can book a wine tasting to try these mature sparklers. They also offer food and wine pairing experiences. And, for you equestrian enthusiasts, even the option to go horseback riding in their vineyards.

Visiting Tips

You can sample the full range of their excellent wines along with local snacks in a 1-hour tasting. Or book a 2-hour visit that includes a tour of the cellars as well.

5. Freixenet

If you’ve ever seen the famous frosted-black-glass Cordon Negro bottle in the Cava section at your local store, you’re probably familiar with the name Freixenet (pronounced fresh-eh-net).

This mega-winery is one of the largest sparkling wine producers in the world, selling more than 100 million bottles in 2021. And they make 80% of Spain’s exported Cava.

While I wouldn’t say you should visit Freixenet for the best that Cava has to offer, I thought it was interesting to see how production is done on a larger scale. Plus, it’s right at the train station, so if you’re pressed for time, you can’t get any closer.

Freixenet was founded in 1914 when two Spanish winemaking families joined through marriage. Pedro Ferrer and Dolores Sala Vive got hitched and decided to turn the family business from still to sparkling wine production.

Over the years, the winery expanded internationally. Today, they work with 200 growing partners that supply the base wine for their bubbly. And the wines are sold in more than 100 countries worldwide.

Visiting Tips

Visits start with a video of the winery’s history. And a look back on some of their well-known ads, such as the iconic boy in a red hat holding a bottle of Freixenet.

Next, visit the old part of the winery to see the cellars and learn about the original winemaking process that was used used. Then, tour the current production facility (or factory might be a better word for it!). You’ll end at the tasting room to sample a variety of their most popular Cavas.

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Where to Stay for Visiting Cava Wineries

If you plan to visit a Cava winery in Spain, there’s no better place to base yourself than Barcelona. This bucket-list destination is known for its stunning architecture, beautiful beaches, and tasty tapas.

The H10 Madison Hotel is a great 4-star option with a pool, terrace, restaurant, and bar. It’s right in the heart of the city close to all the top sites. And it’s a 5-minute walk to the train station you’ll take to get to Sant Sadurní d’Anoia.

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FAQs About Visiting Cava Wineries in Spain

What is Cava?

Cava is Spanish sparkling wine that comes from the Cava D.O. (Denominación de Origen).

Macabeu, Xarel·lo, and Parellada are the traditional grape varieties used for Cava production. But you’ll also find Garnacha, Monastrell, Trepat, and Subirat Parent. Plus, some producers are slipping in French Champagne varieties like Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

Like Champagne, Cava is made in the traditional method (aka méthode champenoise) where the secondary fermentation happens in the bottle. But the warmer climate means it usually has lower acidity.

And basic Cavas are not aged as long as their French cousins. But look for Reserva, Gran Reserva, and Paraje Calificado for sparklers with more time in the bottle.

Check out more alternatives to Champagne and learn about Spanish white wines.

What’s the difference between Cava and Corpinnat?

A group of Cava producers felt many had become too focused on high-volume production and the wines lacked a sense of place. So in 2015, they formed the Corpinnat brand and committed to stricter winemaking practices.

These wines must be made with mostly estate-grown indigenous grapes that are hand harvested. And they have to be aged for at least 18 months.

In 2019, Corpinnat producers were forced to leave the Cava D.O. But they are some of the best quality wines coming out of this region. So, it’s worth seeking them out and visiting!

When Is the Best Time to Visit Cava Wineries?

Weather-wise, spring and fall are the best times to visit Cava wineries in Spain. Summer months can be hot and humid. So, visiting in March, April, May, October, or November is ideal.

If you’re okay with braving the crowds, Cava Week happens annually in mid-October. You’ll get to witness the “Cava Queen” be crowned and take the first sips of the year’s harvest. Plus, there are dinners, concerts, classes, and of course, plenty of Cava! 

How Many Cava Wineries are Near Barcelona?

The town of Sant Sadurní d’Anoia is home to more than 80 Cava producers. And there are 200+ in the entire Penedès region. This region is also known for producing some of the best non-sparkling Catalan wines.

How Much Are Cava Wine Tastings?

Cava wine tastings and tours are typically around €20 to €35. But some wineries offer extra experiences like private tours, vineyard visits, and food pairing experiences that cost much more. See my global guide if you’re wondering how much wine tasting is throughout the world.