8 wine cellar bars along the DO Empordà Wine Route that are a perfect spot for a leisurely toast

Some toasts are never forgotten. Those little spurs of the moment, as you wander aimlessly or decide to take a break in the middle of your trip. The best way to find these moments in the Empordà is to stroll through the wine bars of the Empordà DO Wine Route: small oases where the landscape, wine and conversation are in perfect harmony.

In most cases, you don’t have to go on a guided tour, though you can, or book ahead. You just need to be willing to try it and let yourself loose. Take a break to enjoy a couple of glasses of wine served next to the vineyard, artisan cheeses and local cured meats, open spaces where the sunsets taste of wine barrels, grenache and the local tramontane mountain breeze. We suggest eight can’t-miss wine bars. Each site has its own personality, but they all share the same promise: you can experience the Empordà in slow sips.

Ideal for a leisurely break en route. Espelt Viticultors, located in Vilajuïga, is a simple and welcoming space in the winery’s shop, with indoor tables and a small terrace to relax and kick up your heels. The menu includes organic wines, made with varieties such as grenache, cariñena or lledoner roig, which can be tasted by the glass, while also offering cheese boards, cured meats, water and coffee.

A lovely pairing between sea and vineyard in a unique environment. Enjoy a tasting between fermentation tanks, inside the Hugas de Batlle winery, in Colera, between the green of the Albera Mountains and the blue of the Mediterranean Sea. This family-run vineyard offers glasses of wine accompanied by small tapas or tastings that feature three wines, during the shop’s opening hours depending on the season. Their wines, made from mountain vines and varieties such as grenache, cariñena or syrah, mirror the local landscape.

Innovation and authenticity between varieties. Open daily on the outskirts of the town of Mollet de Peralada, at La Vinyeta you can taste wine, home-made cheeses and homemade cured meats. In summer, the vineyard offers fuller experiences with evenings of poetry, music and astronomy. Their wines are synonymous with respect for the local region and innovation with deep roots. This winery was a groundbreaking pioneer in sustainable viticulture, with ecological certification and circular economy initiatives.

A toast between vines and silence. In Pals, with the Montgrí massif on the horizon and the vineyards as a backdrop, the Mas Geli wine bar is open from Friday to Sunday (by reservation). Glasses of wine, Catalan cheeses and local products are available in a privileged setting to enjoy the sunset and the calm of the Empordà. The winery is committed to organic viticulture and minimal intervention and stands out for brands that connect with local creativity and for a limited production that demands careful tasting.

The perfect combination of winemaking, culture and nature. On the terrace at Vimoments, located in Cantallops, situated between vineyards and mountains, everything is perfectly tailored for you to enjoy some rest and relaxation. An elegant and relaxed space where you can taste the Masia Serra wines by the glass, paired with artisan cheese boards and cured meats, with a splash of homemade extra virgin olive oil and other local products. The site is ideal for enjoying the Albera landscape and sharing unique moments with friends, family or your partner.

A conscious, biodynamic wine tasting. Between vineyards and lush nature, in the municipality of Capmany, the Vinyes d’Olivardots wine bar offers a leisurely and friendly way of discovering its wines. They can be tasted by the glass, in a bottle or in packs designed to allow you to explore the nuances of the different plots in the vineyard. They are accompanied by locally-sourced products such as olives from L’Escala and cheeses from Mas Marcé along with other small treasures from the Empordà.

A jewel for people who love wine and charming landscapes. Between vineyards and a Mediterranean forest, hidden in the town of Palamós is the Gastrobar Mas Bell-Lloc of Brugarol Winery. Visitors can experience the winery without booking ahead of time to taste the wines produced in the winery itself in a space where the innovative architecture blends naturally into the surroundings. The experience invites you to take a break, let yourself be surprised by the character of the wines and enjoy the silence and beauty of a more authentic and peaceful Costa Brava.

The ideal place to enjoy the best pairing of wine, cuisine and territory. The Wine Bar del celler Perelada is an ideal space for delicious food and wine where you can enjoy the great house wines and signature local cuisine from the Empordà. Orchestrated by chef Paco Pérez, the venue includes dishes ideal for sharing, Girona cured meats and cheese boards selected by the sommelier Toni Gerez. Wine Bar Celler 1923 boasts the perfect combination for pairing with the different products from Perelada, with views over the Empordà landscape and an elegant, relaxed atmosphere that invites you to linger over a glass. We recommend consulting the opening hours and booking in advance.