Are these tours really private?
Yes — every tour is fully private and built around your specific group. You choose the date, the pace, the regions you want to explore and the style of wineries you visit. There are no shared buses, no fixed groups of strangers, and no rushing through tasting rooms on a schedule someone else set. You travel in a private electric vehicle with a maximum of two to four guests, you meet the winemakers in person, and the entire day — from pickup time to lunch to the final tasting — is shaped around what your group actually wants to experience together.
Do you pick us up from Barcelona?
Yes. Door-to-door pickup is included from your hotel, apartment, cruise port or airport across Barcelona, Mataró and most of the Maresme coast at no extra cost. If you're staying further afield in Catalonia, pickup can usually still be arranged — just mention your address when you book and I'll confirm logistics in advance. We can also start from a meeting point you prefer, such as a metro station or a friend's home. Drop-off is handled the same way at the end of the day, so you never need to worry about taxis, parking or public transport.
What if I am new to wine?
Most of my guests are curious travellers rather than sommeliers, so the day is taught at your level. I explain things in plain, friendly language — what Cava actually is, why Penedès grows the grapes it does, how to taste a sparkling wine properly — without jargon unless you specifically ask for it. You'll never feel tested or rushed. By the end of the day most beginners can confidently identify the differences between Cava, Corpinnat and Champagne, and they understand what makes a small family producer worth seeking out. It's wine learning that feels like a conversation, not a class.
How far in advance should I book?
Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable for most dates and gives us enough time to design the perfect itinerary, secure your preferred wineries and arrange lunch reservations. For weekends, public holidays and the harvest season in September and October, booking four to six weeks ahead is strongly recommended because the best family producers fill up quickly. Last-minute requests are sometimes possible — if you're already in Barcelona and want to organise a tour for the next few days, send a message via WhatsApp and I'll do my best to make it work.
How many wineries do we visit?
A typical day includes two wineries, occasionally three on full-day tours when timing and guest energy allow. I deliberately keep the number small so you actually have time to walk the vineyards with the winemaker, see the cellar properly, ask the questions you really want to ask, and enjoy a long Catalan lunch without watching the clock. Quality over quantity is the whole philosophy: two genuinely memorable family visits will teach you far more about Cava, Corpinnat and Penedès than four rushed stops at commercial cellars ever could. We can adjust upward or downward to match your pace.
Is lunch included?
Lunch is always organised as a central part of the day — either at a winery, a small local restaurant, or a traditional Catalan farmhouse — but the cost of the meal itself is paid directly on the day and is not included in the tour price. This gives you full freedom over the menu, the wines you order and the budget you want to spend. A typical countryside lunch with wine runs between 35 and 55 euros per person. I'll always discuss the lunch options with you when planning the itinerary so there are no surprises and the choice fits your group.
Can you accommodate dietary needs?
Absolutely. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, pescatarian and allergy-aware menus are all easy to arrange as long as I know about them when we plan the day together. I have long-standing relationships with the wineries and restaurants we visit, so adapting a Catalan tasting menu to your needs is rarely a problem — chefs here genuinely enjoy the challenge. For serious allergies (nuts, shellfish, sulphites) please mention specifics in your booking request so I can confirm everything in writing with the venues beforehand. Families with picky eaters are also welcome; we'll find food everyone will enjoy.
What languages do you speak?
Tours are guided personally by me in English, Spanish and Russian, all at a fluent professional level. Most international guests choose English, and I'm comfortable explaining the technical side of Cava production, Catalan wine history and tasting vocabulary in any of the three. Many of the winemakers we visit also speak some English, but I act as your translator and bridge throughout the day so nothing is lost. If your group is mixed-language — for example a Russian couple visiting with English-speaking friends — I can comfortably switch between languages as the day flows.
What size groups do you take?
Standard tours run with two to four guests in a single private electric vehicle — that's the firm maximum, because once you go beyond four the day stops feeling personal and the connection with the winemakers becomes harder. For couples and small families this is the ideal size. For larger groups, multi-generational families, friend reunions, bachelorette weekends or corporate incentive trips of six, eight or more, I organise multi-vehicle tours with a second driver-guide; just send a request with your numbers and I'll put together a tailored proposal. Single travellers are warmly welcome too.
Are the tours suitable for children?
Yes, families are very welcome and many of my favourite days have been with kids in the group. The itinerary is adjusted so children have something genuinely enjoyable to do at each stop — animals at the farm wineries, fresh grape juice tastings instead of wine, gentle walks through the vines, climbing the old stone tower in the hilltop village. The vintage Land Rover ride is a particular hit with younger guests. Lunches are arranged at child-friendly restaurants and the day's pace is calmer, with extra breaks built in. Booster seats and child safety seats can be arranged on request.
What is your cancellation policy?
Cancellation is free up to seven days before your scheduled tour date — you receive a full refund of any deposit with no questions asked. Cancellations made within seven days may incur a fee of up to 50% to cover the commitments already made to wineries, restaurants and the driver-guide blocking the day for you. Cancellations within 48 hours, or no-shows, are typically non-refundable. Rescheduling to a different date within the same season is usually possible with at least 72 hours' notice and is the preferred option for last-minute changes. Full details are confirmed in writing with your booking.