Private and Bespoke
Travel
CATALUNYA
VINIESTA
This edition of Viniesta trips takes us to Spain's natural wine mecca, Catalonia. This fascinating north eastern region of Spain is famous for its gastronomy, and historic wine making traditions. From the avant garde to the purists, to the rebels; the local stars of the Catalan wine scene are up to some tasty things! This trip will get you up close and personal to the heroes of the local wine world, experience some of the best of Catalan culture and eat extremely well in the process! Human towers, amphoras, bonfire parties, biodynamics and drinking from a balloon in the sky…oh yeah, we’ll see you there!!
ITINERARY
DAY 1
Welcome to Barcelona! Upon arrival, check in to your centrally-located boutique hotel. In the evening, meet your local host in the lobby. It’s time to dive in! We’ll head to a quiet square in the Sant Gervasi-Santaló neighborhood to Monocrom, a bistro offering a vast selection of natural and organic wines paired with excellent Mediterranean cuisine. The owner will join us for a night filled with unforgettable flavors.
DAY 2
We’ll check out of our Barcelona hotel and enjoy a scenic ride to the town where Savlador Dalí was born. You’re in for a surreal experience at the Salvador Dalí Theater-Museum before we head to nearby producer Vinyes Tortuga. Producers Dido & Jurriaan started their winemaking journey traveling from vineyard to vineyard around the world, gaining a broad range of experience. We’ll learn all about their project and free-spirit philosophy, understanding the creative awareness they apply to their winemaking. Lunch will be served in a nearby traditional Catalan restaurant. With full bellies, we’ll drive to the beautiful Costa Brava and check-in to our seaside hotel. Evening at leisure.
DAY 3
We’ll make our way to Celler Còsmic Vinyaters. Cosmic’s wines are all based heavily on the philosophy of taking care of vines and making wine with a great passion for their land. We will enjoy a fantastic visit and tasting here, before heading back to the coast for a fantastic lunch right on the sea. With full bellies, we’ll drive back to our hotel and enjoy a free evening.
DAY 4
This morning we’ll check out of our hotel and make our way down the coast to Clos Lentiscus for a 4x4 visit and tasting followed by a delicious lunch. Clos Lentiscus captures the essence of the terroir with their wines, produced at their 14th-century family estate surrounded by Mediterranean forests. Their natural wines are some of the most interesting in Catalonia, and the entire winery is organized around following the principles of biodynamics. Manel, “the bubble man” is behind their exciting sparkling wines, will be ready to greet us. After our visit, we’ll drive to the sea to board a private catamaran. After taking in some beautiful views of the coast and enjoying some time at the beach, we’ll head to our hotel for check in.
DAY 5
Today’s visit at Partida Creus with Massimo Marchiori y Antonella Geroz. They settled in the Massís de Bonastre in the Baix Penedés around the year 2000 when they started farming local food but had trouble finding wines made in the same style. They decided to make their own, recovering old vines of local grape varietals. Their wines are as natural as it gets with a common denominator of low alcohol and cutting acidity across all of their wines. After an unforgettable visit and lunch, we’ll make our way back to our hotel for an evening at leisure.
DAY 6
After checking out of our hotel, we’re heading to visit another great producer, Joan Rubió. Joan started his own project with his wife Angels in 2015 after having been the technical director at the famous cava house of Recaredo. Using old family fields he strictly applies the principles of organic and biodynamic agriculture; minimum intervention of the soil and spontaneous vegetable cover. His award-winning wines are obtained from free-run juice, without pressing, slowly vinified and macerated with their skins. The family estate has 8 hectares, 3 planted with cereals and olive trees and 5 of vineyards, in the towns of Santa Margarida i els Monjos, Castellví de la Marca and Vilafranca del Penedès. After our visit, we’ll head to our hotel for check in.
DAY 7
Today we’ll play winemaker for the day working the fields of Finca Parera. Rubén Parera converted his family’s 10h estate from organic to biodynamic farming, continuing the natural process into the cellar while applying the same practice to their cherries, almonds, olives, and vegetables. He’ll join us for our experience and a fantastic final lunch in the a a natural wine bistro.
DAY 8
This morning we’ll check out and head back to Barcelona for your return flight home or to continue on your solo adventure. Fins després!
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GENERAL INFORMATION
Dates:
Jun. 30th- July 7th, 2024
Group Size:
14
participants maximum
Price:
€4,985 per person (in a double room)
Single supplement: €695
Please note that all prices are listed in Euros. Check online for current conversion rates.
Included:
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Fun and knowledgeable trip leader for the whole plan
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7 nights in charming boutique hotels, shared room
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7 breakfasts
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Welcome dinner with wine pairing in a Catalan bistro
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6 unique, traditional, and tasty lunches with wine (por supuesto!)
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6 private vineyard visits and tastings with top natural winemakers
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Visit and tour of the Dali Museum
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Day sail on a Yacht
Excluded:
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Flights
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Trip insurance
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Meals not mentioned
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Incidental expenses
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Add-on activities
Registration
Please contact us using the following form if you would like to sign up, or if you have any questions. We will get back to you asap.