WINERIES TO VISIT
Espelt Viticultors.
Anna Espelt heads Espelt Viticultors, one of the largest wineries in Emporda, with increasing focus on organic wines made from indigenous varieties. Their grapes grown on slate soils produce tannic, powerful wines; those grown on sand are fresh easy-to-drink wines. Enjoy a four-wheel-drive tour of their vineyards and a guided wine tasting.
espeltviticultors.com
Mas Estela.
This trailblazing, small biodynamic winery is on the edge of Cap de Creus National Park, where the Soto-Dalmau family has been producing small batches of indigenous varieties since the early 1990s.
masestela.com
Terra Remota.
This modern, eco-sensitive gravityflow winery, tucked into the remote foothills of the Pyrenees, is owned by French couple Marc and Emma Bournazeau, whose grandfather escaped to southern France during the Spanish Civil War. Terra Remota is an homage to their Catalan heritage. Taste wines by the fire in the cosy enoteca or arrange for a picnic of local delicacies beside the vines.
terraremota.com/en
Vinyes d’Olivardots.
Mother-daughter team Carlota and Carmen Pena are making small batches of minerally wines in the Pyrenees foothills. Their old-vine grenache, carignan, syrah and other varieties are grown on an inventive trellising system designed to manage the Tramontana wind. Be sure to compare their wines stored in Greek-style amphorae alongside those aged in oak. Take a personal tour of the vineyard and winery, with guided tastings.
olivardots.com/en
Celler Martin Faixo.
Recovering bush vines from the rugged Cap de Creus region, Martin Faixo offers tastings of picapoll, white muscat and a blend of cabernet sauvignon, grenache and merlot in their 14th century slate farmhouse. Taste their wines and local verdal olive oils with tapas in their lively enoteca in nearby seaside Cadaques.
cellermartinfaixo.com
La Vinyeta.
The passion project of young winemaking couple Josep and Marta Serra, organic vineyard La Vinyeta won the award for best wine tourism property in Catalonia last year. They also grow olive trees, have beehives and raise chickens among the vines, where you can enjoy picnic lunches and even yoga classes.
lavinyeta.com
Mas Llunes.
Near the Medieval town of Garriguella, Mas Llunes offers vineyard tours, and an innovative sound and light sensory tasting experience in their darkened cellars. Their well-stocked cellar door sells the alcoholic base for the local ratafia spirit to which you can add your own walnuts and herbs.
masllunes.es
Mas Oller.
Named after its 17th-century farmhouse, this dynamic young winery is focusing on modern interpretations of traditional red and white blends. Enjoy a vineyard tour and tasting in the old dairy.
masoller.es/lang-en
Brugarol.
Immerse yourself in the Emporda region here in the minimalist winery fashioned from recycled Corten steel by Pritzker-awardwinning local architects and the rustic art-filled Finca Bell-Lloc guesthouse. Sample the property’s wines, olives, marmalades, cheeses and grappa, and marvel at the winery where the wines rest in silence, open to the elements.
brugarol.com/en