Penedes-Priorat Wine Trip 2019

Discover the Magic of Penedès & Priorat

We’re so excited to share one of the most memorable trips we organized in Penedès and Priorat, two of Spain’s most prestigious wine regions. From legendary producers to boutique wineries crafting outstanding reds, this journey blended culture, gastronomy, and breathtaking landscapes.

We began with a morning flight to Barcelona and headed straight to the rolling vineyards of Penedès. Our first stop was the iconic Familia Torres Winery, famous for its award-winning wines in Spain, California, and Chile. We enjoyed an exclusive tasting followed by lunch at their elegant estate restaurant. As a surprise to the group I had also arranged for a premium tasting of their flagship wines in a private tasting room.

In the afternoon, we continued to the picturesque town of Falset, at the heart of Priorat, and checked in at our Hotel. The evening we explored the local wine bars and enjoyed a relaxed dinner in town.

After a delicious breakfast at the hotel, we immersed ourselves in Priorat’s history with a visit to Cellers de Scala Dei, one of Spain’s oldest wineries, founded in 1263 by Carthusian monks. Lunch followed in the charming village of Poboleda, where we savored authentic Catalan flavors in an amazing restaurant with extensive wine list. We ended the day with a walk through Siurana, a hilltop hamlet offering sweeping views of the Montsant mountains.

Day three was all about the winemakers who put Priorat on the global map. We started with a private tour at Clos Mogador, whose founder Rene Barbier alongside Alvaro Palacios revolutionized the region in 1979 by introducing French techniques. We were lucky enough to meet him during our tasting there. Then we continued for lunch at Clos Figueras pairing local cuisine with elegant whites and reds, and we wrapped up with a tasting at Ferrer Bobet, a sleek, modern winery producing perfectly balanced wines.

On our final morning, we returned to Penedès to visit Recaredo, a family of winegrowers since 1924. In 2006, they began adopting biodynamic practices, and by 2010 they were fully certified. What truly sets them apart, is their philosophy respecting the nature and local tradition, that led to their role in founding Corpinnat.

Corpinnat is a collective EU brand created to highlight outstanding sparkling wines from the heart of the Penedès—crafted from 100% organic, hand-harvested grapes and vinified entirely at the winery. Most importantly, it celebrates local historic grape varieties. At Recaredo, they cultivate Xarel·lo, Macabeu, Parellada, Monastrell, and Garnatxa Negra.

One of the most impressive aspects of our visit was discovering their in-house yeast laboratory—an integral part of the tour. Here they nurture the very same natural yeasts found in their terroir, a remarkable testament to their dedication to authenticity. It was the first time I’d ever seen such a facility inside a winery, and it perfectly reflected their philosophy.

As we were a small group of wine professionals and enthusiasts, the legendary Ton Mata personally guided us through the winery, answering every technical question that arose along the way. We concluded the visit by savoring their handcrafted sparkling wines over a light lunch—the perfect send-off.

We returned to Athens brimming with memories (and a few bottles!) from an unforgettable escape. It was an incredible opportunity to explore Spain’s rich winemaking heritage while soaking in its picturesque villages, exquisite cuisine, and warm hospitality.