If youâre a wine lover visiting Barcelona, Spain, a day trip to a nearby Cava winery should be on your itinerary.
The center of production for this Spanish sparkling wine is just outside the city in Sant SadurnĂ dâAnoia. Itâs a quick train ride away. So, you donât even need to rent a car!
As an advanced WSET-certified wine expert, Iâve personally researched and explored the Cava region. And I put together this guide with all the details you need, including how to get there, top wineries to visit, and the best Cava wine tours.
So, letâs get started planning your Cava wine tasting adventure!
How to Get to Cava Wineries Near Barcelona
If youâre staying in Barcelona, getting to the town of Sant SadurnĂ dâAnoia by public transportation is super easy. From the Plaça de Catalunya, you can hop on the R4 train toward Sant Vicenç de Calders. Itâs about an hourâs ride out to the town.
Make sure to pay attention so you get off at the right stop (also called Sant SadurnĂ dâAnoia). Freixenet will be right in front of you. And itâs only about a 10-minute walk into the town.
If youâre planning to visit Freixenet, another option is to buy a combined round-trip train and tour ticket.
Cava Tour From Barcelona
If you prefer a guided option, there are some excellent wine tours led by local wine experts.
For private tours, I recommend this full-day tour that includes transportation, tastings at two family-run vineyards, and a tapas-style meal.
Or if you prefer a small-group Cava tour, this one is a great option that includes wine tasting, tapas, and exploring vineyards in a 4Ă4 vehicle.
đ Book the Private Tour or the Small-Group Tour
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Best Cava Wineries Near Barcelona
These Cava and Corpinnat producers all have tasting rooms in Sant SadurnĂ dâAnoia that are relatively easy to get to. And they offer winery tours and wine tastings in English.
Iâd 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. CodornĂu
If you want to see where it all started, thereâs no better place than CodornĂu.
Josep RaventĂłs FatjĂł was the first to make Cava. He was inspired by a trip to the Champagne region in 1872. And thought, âHey, I could make something similar using Spanish grapes.â
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.
CodornĂu grew larger and larger with each generation. It was eventually inherited by Josep Maria RaventĂłs i Blanc, who later left to found RaventĂłs i Blanc (which, unfortunately, you canât visit). But prior to doing that, he played a major role in expanding CodornĂu.
Today, CodornĂu 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 rosĂ© 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 itâs uphill and takes about a half hour from the train station. So, if youâre 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 PenedÚs 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 Cataloniaâs Best Winery in 2017 by the Catalan Association of Sommeliers. And in 2018, they joined Corpinnat.
Recaredoâs 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 itâs 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. Youâll 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 youâll 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 Gramonaâs 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 ColecciĂłn 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.
4. SolĂ RaventĂłs
If youâre planning to visit Gramona, you couldnât be any closer to SolĂ RaventĂłs. Located right next door, this small family-run winery was founded in 1898.
Pere and his wife have been at the helm since 1987. And their son Guifré is now helping.
This is a super limited production, with just 20,000 bottles per year. So, these wines are hard to get outside of the area.
They age their Cavas between two to five years. And have a selection of both white and rosé Reservas and Gran Reservas.
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 youâve ever seen the famous frosted-black-glass Cordon Negro bottle in the Cava section at your local store, youâre 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 Spainâs exported Cava.
While I wouldnât 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, itâs right at the train station, so if youâre pressed for time, you canât 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 wineryâs 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!). Youâll 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, thereâs 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. Itâs right in the heart of the city close to all the top sites. And itâs a 5-minute walk to the train station youâll take to get to Sant SadurnĂ dâAnoia.
đš Book the H10 Madison Hotel
FAQs About Visiting Cava Wineries in Spain
What is Cava?
Cava is Spanish sparkling wine that comes from the Cava D.O. (DenominaciĂłn de Origen).
Macabeu, Xarel·lo, and Parellada are the traditional grape varieties used for Cava production. But youâll 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.
Whatâs 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, itâs 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 youâre okay with braving the crowds, Cava Week happens annually in mid-October. Youâll get to witness the âCava Queenâ be crowned and take the first sips of the yearâs harvest. Plus, there are dinners, concerts, classes, and of course, plenty of Cava!
How Many Cava Wineries are Near Barcelona?
The town of Sant SadurnĂ dâAnoia is home to more than 80 Cava producers. And there are 200+ in the entire PenedĂšs 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 âŹ20 to âŹ35. But some wineries offer extra experiences like private tours, vineyard visits, and food pairing experiences that cost much more. See my global guide if youâre wondering how much wine tasting is throughout the world.
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Whatâs your favorite Cava or Corpinnat sparkling wine?
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