Are these tours really private?
The experience itself is always private and built around your group. You travel in a comfortable electric vehicle with a maximum of four guests, and I plan the day according to your interests, pace and wine preferences.
The winery visits depend on the place we choose. Some are fully private, while others follow the winery's regular visit format, and in many cases a private visit can be arranged for an additional cost. If having fully private winery visits is important to you, please let me know in advance so I can select and arrange the right options for your day.
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.
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.
What size groups do you take?
Standard tours are designed for two to four guests travelling together in one private electric vehicle. For couples, small families and groups of friends, this keeps the day flexible, comfortable and personal.
For larger groups, I can arrange a suitable vehicle through an external transfer company, or guests can travel to the wineries independently and meet me there. This works well for larger families, groups of friends, celebrations and corporate visits. Just send me your group size and preferences, and I'll suggest the most suitable format.
Single travellers are warmly welcome too.
Are the tours suitable for children?
Yes, families with children aged 10 and over are very welcome, and some of my favourite wine days have included younger guests.
I adapt the itinerary so children have something genuinely enjoyable to do at each stop - meeting animals at farm wineries, tasting natural grape juice instead of wine, playing aroma games and taking easy walks through the vineyards.
The vintage Land Rover experience is a particular favourite with younger guests, giving them the chance to become little wine explorers for the day.
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.
Do the wineries offer free tasting if you buy the wine?
No, it is not common in Catalonia. Even a short tasting is paid separately, and the price is typically between 10 and 25 euros.
What are the best wineries near Barcelona?
There is no single "best" winery near Barcelona. The right choice depends on what you want from the visit - serious wine tasting, beautiful vineyards, sparkling wine, natural wines, history, food, or simply a relaxed experience.
Penedès offers everything from internationally known producers to small family wineries. I choose wineries according to your interests and, equally importantly, how well the visits work together in one day. Every winery I recommend is somewhere I have personally experienced, not only as a guide but also as a guest.
Is Penedès worth visiting from Barcelona?
Yes, especially if you want to experience a different side of Catalonia without travelling far from Barcelona. Penedès combines vineyards, wine, sparkling wine, local food and small towns within an easy day trip.
It is particularly worth visiting if you enjoy nature, want a slower day outside the city, and would like to experience the landscape and people behind Catalan wine.
How far is Penedès from Barcelona?
Most of the wineries I visit in Penedès are around 45 minutes to one hour from Barcelona, depending on the winery, traffic and your pickup point.
This makes it easy to spend a full day in wine country without losing several hours in transfers. More distant wine regions, such as Priorat, require considerably more driving and are better suited to a longer full-day itinerary.
Can I visit wineries without renting a car?
Yes. In fact, not having to drive is one of the advantages of a private wine experience.
Many wineries in Penedès are outside the towns, and getting from one estate to another by public transport can be complicated. I organise the route and transportation so you can taste the wines without worrying about driving, parking or arranging taxis between wineries.
How many wineries can we visit in one day?
For most guests, two full winery visits and a good lunch make an ideal day in Penedès. Three visits are also possible if you prefer a more wine-focused day, but I don't believe in adding stops simply to make the itinerary look longer. There should be enough time to taste, ask questions, enjoy the surroundings and have lunch without feeling rushed.
If you would like to taste wines from more producers, we can sometimes stop at additional wineries just for a tasting, without doing the full winery visit. This can be a great way to discover more wines without turning the day into a race from one cellar to another.
Whether this is possible depends on the season, opening hours and what each winery is offering at that particular time. I check these possibilities myself when I plan your itinerary and suggest the combination that works best for your day.
Should I visit a large winery or a small family winery?
Both can be excellent, but they offer very different experiences.
A renowned producer may offer remarkable history, architecture, cellars or wines that are important to understanding the region. A small family winery can offer closer contact with the people behind the wine and a more personal atmosphere.
I often recommend combining two contrasting producers. I don't choose a winery simply because it is famous or small - I choose it because it fits you and adds something worthwhile to the day.
What is the difference between Cava and Corpinnat?
Cava is a protected designation for traditional-method sparkling wine produced in several areas of Spain, with Penedès as its historic heart.
Corpinnat is a collective brand created by producers in the heart of Penedès, with stricter requirements concerning grape origin, organic viticulture, harvesting and production.
Visiting producers from both can be a fascinating way to understand the different approaches to sparkling wine in Penedès.
Can you customize the wineries according to the wines we like?
Absolutely. This is one of the main reasons I ask about your preferences before suggesting an itinerary.
Tell me what you normally enjoy drinking, which grape varieties or styles interest you, whether you prefer sparkling, still or natural wines, and how deeply you want to go into winemaking.
And if you already have particular wineries you would like to visit, I'll do my best to arrange them and build the rest of the day around your choices.
Can we combine wine and gastronomy?
Yes! And I strongly recommend it. Wine makes much more sense when you experience it together with the food, landscape and culture of the region.
Depending on the itinerary, we can include a local restaurant, a winery lunch, artisan cheeses and cured meats, an olive oil tasting, chocolate, carquinyolis, or other Catalan specialities.
Are private wine tours worth the price?
A private wine experience is particularly worthwhile if you value flexibility and don't want to spend hours researching wineries, arranging appointments and figuring out transportation yourself.
You are paying not only for transportation, but also for first-hand local knowledge, planning, winery selection and an itinerary designed around your interests.
For travellers with limited time in Barcelona, the real value is knowing that the wineries you visit are worth giving a day to.
How much does a private wine day from Barcelona cost?
The price depends on the length of the day, number of guests, region, wineries selected and whether you choose standard or fully private winery visits. Winery tasting fees and lunch can also vary considerably between producers.
Before you book, I provide a clear itinerary and price breakdown so you know exactly what is included and what will be paid directly at the wineries or restaurant.