Barcelona to Penedès: Wine & Cava Tasting with 4WD Vineyards

Summary

Barcelona day trip through Penedès vineyards tasting cava and wine

You’ll taste cavas straight from cool cellars in Penedès, ride a 4WD through old vineyards with a local viticulturist, and sample regional wines paired with cheese and charcuterie. Expect stories from passionate winemakers—and maybe muddy shoes by the end—but you’ll leave with more than just flavors lingering.

What’s the experience like?

You know that feeling when you’re not sure if you’re in the right spot but then someone waves you over with a grin? That’s how our morning started at Passatge de la Concepció. Our guide Marta was already chatting with a couple from Lyon, so we just sort of slipped into the group. The drive out of Barcelona was almost hypnotic—city blocks giving way to rolling hills, then suddenly rows and rows of vines. I kept watching the light flicker between olive trees and thinking, “Okay, this is real.”

First stop: a family-run cava winery in the heart of Penedès. The cellars smelled cool and earthy—like wet stone and something sweet I couldn’t name. Our host Jordi explained the whole cava process (I tried repeating “método tradicional” but he laughed at my accent). We tasted four different cavas, each poured with a little story about his grandparents or harvests gone sideways. The bubbles felt sharper after hearing those stories—maybe that’s just me.

After some cheese and jamón that disappeared too fast (I swear I only had two slices), we piled into an old Jeep for the 4WD part. Bouncing along muddy tracks between vines, our viticulturist guide pointed out which grapes survived last year’s hailstorm. There was this moment when we stopped on a ridge—wind tugging at my jacket, all green below—and nobody said anything for a bit. Just birds somewhere off to the left.

The second winery had three wines waiting for us in their cellar—one red so peppery it made me blink twice. The winemaker told us about his father’s first vintage; he still keeps one dusty bottle on the shelf “for luck.” I liked that detail. On the way back to Barcelona, I kept thinking about how much work goes into every glass. My shoes were muddy but I didn’t really care.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Penedes wine and cava tasting tour

• Meet driver at Passatge de la concepció, 7
• Drive through Barcelona and surrounding towns
• Arrive at first winery for cava visit
• Tour cava cellars with specialist
• Learn about historic and modern cava making
• Taste four best cavas
• Transfer to second winery by driver
• Jeep tour around vineyards
• Learn winery history and wine making process
• Visit wine cellars
• Taste three different wines
• Return to Barcelona with driver
• End experience at starting point

Top questions

How long is the day trip from Barcelona to Penedès?

The tour lasts around one day, including travel time between Barcelona and the wineries in Penedès.

Is transportation included for this wine & cava tour?

Yes, transportation by minibus is included from Barcelona to all stops in Penedès and back.

Do you visit both wineries on this tour?

Yes, you visit two different wineries: one focused on cava, another on wine production.

Is there food served during the tastings?

You’ll enjoy local cheese and charcuterie paired with your wine and cava tastings.

Is there a guide during the vineyard 4WD ride?

A local viticulturist joins you during the 4WD ride through the vineyards to share insights about grape growing.

Are dietary restrictions accommodated?

You can inform them of dietary restrictions or allergies at booking so they can adjust accordingly.

Where does the tour start in Barcelona?

The meeting point is Passatge de la Concepció, 7 near Passeig de Gràcia in central Barcelona.

What happens if there’s bad weather?

The tour may be rescheduled or refunded if inclement weather prevents it from operating safely.

What’s included

Your day includes minibus transportation from central Barcelona, guided visits at two family-run wineries in Penedès with tastings of three wines and four cavas, local cheese and charcuterie pairings, an exclusive 4WD ride through vineyards alongside a viticulturist, plus all logistics handled so you can just focus on tasting (and maybe getting your shoes dirty).