VisitingThe Codorniu Cava Vinyards, Barcelona

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Visit The spectacular Codorniu Vineyards Barcelona

Nestled in the picturesque Penedès region of Catalonia, the Codorníu Cava Vineyard stands as one of Spain’s most prestigious and historic sparkling wine producers, with a legacy dating back to the 16th century.

This sprawling estate, with its stunning architecture and endless rows of lush vineyards, invites wine lovers and history enthusiasts alike to delve into the world of cava, Spain’s answer to champagne.

From guided tours that unveil the secrets of traditional cava production to a fantastic tasting experience, Codorníu offers a unique and immersive experience steeped in tradition and innovation.

So, whether you’re a seasoned wine connoisseur or simply looking to enjoy a day in the Spanish countryside, join us as we uncork the magic of Codorníu Cava Vineyard and discover why it stands as a jewel in the crown of Spanish sparkling wine.


What is Spanish Cava?

Cava is a sparkling wine produced primarily in the Catalonia region of Spain. The grapes used to produce Cava are some you probably haven't ever heard of. Macabeu, Parellada & Xarello, however Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Subirat are also used.

Cava is fermented in the bottle like Champagne, with fine bubbles and a very similar taste. I personally don't think its as sweet as Prosecco and is much closer to traditional champagne in taste.


Not really having any idea what Cava was (you say Cava we think the Fijian drink) any visit to a vineyard is fine by me so when my day tour to Montserrat was accompanied by a winery tour I didn't mind at all.

I am a champagne drinker and am not usually too fussy when it comes to what type of champagne I drink, however I don't like that really sweet sparkling wine. I like a bit of an edge so I was keen to see if Cava would be my type of champagne or not.

When you arrive at the vineyard you are taken on a tour of the facility starting with their original building which is VERY impressive (that's the building above). The vaulted brick ceilings and massive equipment that have been restored and is on display is really stunning. They have done an amazing job of ensuring this history is preserved for posterity. It is a gorgeous building.

Codorniu Vinyard outside Barcelona
Codorniu Vinyard outside Barcelona

The Codorniu Family History

The Codorniu family history can trace its wine making history back to 1551!
The family also holds the record as being the oldest family owned business in Spain and in the top 20 oldest in the world. While they have vineyards in different areas in Spain these areas in the Penedes are the area's where the Cava grapes are grown.

While the name is clearly very prestigious the value for money in their Cava is very good. On average you would expect to pay $10-$20 for a decent bottle, however of course you could pay a couple of hundred for their top level.


The Cellar at Codorniu Vinyard

So just when you think that you've seen the most impressive building there is, think again! The best is yet to come.

The next stop on the tour is the original production building. As in the main building, they have restored the equipment here to an amazing level and its so cool to see how they originally worked the grapes with these massive pieces of machinery. It's not just the machinery either, the building itself is again incredible, especially as an Australian where our architecture is nowhere near that old or that well built.

Vaulted ceilings of the old building at Codorniu Vinyard Barcelona
Vaulted ceilings of the old building at Codorniu Vinyard Barcelona

Leaving this building you head down in the the cellar. After descending into the basement you hop on a little train that takes you around the tunnels. At this point I was wondering how big it could possibly be?

I thought maybe the train was to keep people together and also to enable elderly guests to navigate the tunnels. That is part of the reason but these brick formed tunnels seem to go on forever. It is a testament to what men can achieve and I hesitate to think about how many bottles of Cava are actually down there. I'm sorry I didn't ask actually.

They run you through how the Cava is made, stored and turned however I had a hard time concentrating when it became apparent how many bottles were down here!

Cava barrels at Codorniu Vinyard Barcelona
Cava barrels at Codorniu Vineyard Barcelona

The tour concludes with a walk around the grounds, and of course via the gift shop on the way out. This is one gift shop you aren't going to want to miss though.

For us Australians, these generations old family owned businesses are quite incredible, but add in the quality of these 300 year old buildings and it was one of the best day tours I've ever done. Not to mention the Cava! I did buy a few bottles and stuck to the low to mid range but was very happy with what I'd purchased.


Do A Tour Of Codorniu Vinyard

The tours run mainly April to November so be sure to check that they will be available at the time of year you are going.

I chose the premium Cava Winery and Monserrat Tour that was in a nice van (no bus) and with heaps of free time, and while it was 94 Euro each, I did think it was worth it. Barcelona is expensive no matter what you do so it seemed appropriate, however I'm sure there are cheaper tours.

Try these tours below. The one on the right is just the vineyard (assuming you have your own transport) and the one on the left is a day tour from Barcelona.

 
Tasting area at Codorniu Vineyard Barcelona
Tasting area at Codorniu Vineyard Barcelona

In Conclusion: Codorniu Cave Vinyard Visit

Whether you decide to visit Codorniu as part of a tour or drive yourself, I'm sure you will agree that it is a great way to spend a few hours. The facility is amazing, the history interesting and the cava itself is spectacular! Do yourself a favour and head to Codorniu if you get the chance.


Check out my Spain Destination Page for all the info, posts & places to visit in Spain.



Jenny Marsden - Charge The Globe
About the author

Meet Jenny, a passionate Australian travel blogger who has explored 103 countries to date. With over 30 years of travel experience, Jenny has a wealth of knowledge to share with her readers about the cultures, landscapes, and people she has encountered on her journeys. She's always battling unfashionably frizzy hair and you will never catch Jenny in anything but comfortable shoes. Learn more about Jenny and her travels.


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