PENEDÈS
Montserrat towers over the valley known as Penedès.
Can you believe this place?
It’s not only gorgeous, it’s the home of one of the world’s great sparkling wines, Cava.
Welcome to Penedès, a lush green valley in the shadow of the dramatic Montserrat. It lies only a short drive to the southwest of Barcelona, and one of its main villages, Sant Sadurní d'Anoia, is accessible by train.
We’ll show you the region’s grapes, the landscape, and an introduction to the wines, the food, and the culture. Each piece of the puzzle tells a story unique in the wide world of wine.
First, let’s get to know the wine for which this region is most famed: the sparkling wine known as Cava.
Penedés lies in the northeast, in Catalunya, just southwest of Barcelona. Courtesy Wine Folly (2020).
Did you know Spain produces more wine than any other country in the world, except for Italy? More than France? More than California?
Even if you knew that, how many Spanish wine regions could you name?
Of all the wine regions we’ve visited, Penedès is one of the most important most people have never heard of—and that’s even more incredible when you consider Penedès is only a short drive southwest of Barcelona—closer than Napa to San Francisco! Those who know Penedès know it is the home of Spain’s sparkling wine, Cava.
“Penedès is one of the most important wine regions most people have never heard of.”
THE GEOGRAPHY
The people of this region have been cultivating wine here since the Romans named the province Hispania. The main highway from Barcelona to points south bisects the valley, and follows (roughly) the road first built by the Romans.
Many of the largest Cava houses and other wineries are located in and around the village of Sant Sadurní d'Anoia.
Not surprisingly, Penedès enjoys a classic Mediterranean climate: precipitation in the winter, otherwise dry, with hot days and cool nights in late summer. The valley rises in steps from its southwestern edge near the coast and the resort town of Sitges, stretching northeast toward Montserrat and the hills above Barcelona.
Pictured: our trusty companion, the Mini Cooper we named Enrique. You can’t see all of wine country by train! Also, another town, Vilafrana del Penedès, and the gorgeous Hotel Mastinell nearby.
We’ll be writing about the food, the wineries, that hotel, and more, so keep checking back!