Wine tourism experiences by the sea in the Empordà

Imagine trying an exquisite wine from the DO Empordà as you watch the toing and froing of the waves while the breeze caresses your skin. On the Costa Brava, these sensations are something that you can experience daily, combining the essence of the sea with the art of the vineyard. Sea breezes provide a unique and characteristic freshness and salinity to local wines, creating a perfect harmony between the coupage and the landscape. Each wine tasting is an immersion in the cultural and natural wealth of the region, where the wines reflect the soul of the Mediterranean and each drink transports you to a world of infinite serenity and beauty. So, if you have already discovered your inland “vine lover”, here are a few ideas to become authentic “vine lovers” of the coast.

To enjoy a meal while taking in the wonderful views of Mar d’Amunt and Cap de Creus, head towards La Pineda, a young vineyard located just 50 metres from Cala Rovellada. Take a picnic basket with local products and wine from the Hugas de Batlle winery. Top off the experience with a tasting of three more wines in the winery located in the middle of the town of Còlera.

Continuing with the views of Mar d’Amunt, which includes the entire territory of the north of Cap de Creus, from Cadaqués to Cervera, you can enjoy a Premium Visit to the Coma Fredosa Vineyard, another of the Hugas de Batlle winery’s properties, located 150 metres above sea level. During the visit you will learn about the entire production process, with a wine tasting at the foot of the vineyard, while they explain the viticultural techniques and the characteristics of their land. And upon returning to the winery, the tasting will continue while they show you the winemaking and ageing process.

With the Garbet Experience, in Peralada, you will enjoy a private visit to the emblematic Garbet estate, near the sea, followed by a visit to the New Winery where you will taste four of its most exclusive wines.

If you are looking for something different, why not try enokayak, which leaves from the beach of the port of Llançà, where you can enjoy views of the green vineyards near the Garbet Sea. You will stop at one of Cap Ras’s coves, with views of Cap de Creus, where you can enjoy the enokayak with wines from Hugas de Batlle.

We also suggest you get to know Cala Jóncols, which, according to what they say, is “the smallest vineyard in Catalonia” (it is under one hectare), located between Roses and Cadaqués, and which has a wine ageing project under the sea. We recommend their tasting menu with sea wines for a complete food and wine experience.

Further south, but still in Alt Empordà, you can opt for a lunch with a tour and tasting at the Martín Faixó winery, a project based on restoration and the vineyard, rooted in Cadaqués since the era of the owner’s great-grandparents. You’ll kick off the experience with lunch, made with local products, which then continues with a professional guided tour of the entire grounds of the Mas Sa Perafita, which has a rural accommodation with four fully-equipped rooms, each with its own charm, and the exclusive Martín Faixó winery, where wines that collect the wisdom of centuries of family tradition are made by hand.

In Vilajuïga, the municipality of water and wine par excellence, you will find the iconic agricultural estate Mas Marés at sea level, Mas Marés, with its winery. A land full of history, surrounded by megalithic monuments dating back more than five thousand years. The project is not only oriented towards sustainable agriculture. Behind it is an entire strategy of pastures, vineyards and olive trees, cork oaks and non-human intervention in natural areas to preserve diversity.

In Masos de Pals, you will find the Mas Geli winery, a privileged spot protected by the massifs of the mountains of Begur and of Montgrí. They practise organic farming and manual harvesting in over fifteen hectares of vineyards, where we can find native Empordà varieties, such as white, red and black grenache, the white and black carignan and the malvasia, among others. Experts in pairing, they have also created a joint golf and wine experience with the sports club Serres de Pals. There is nothing more beautiful than experiencing a sunset from the bar of the winery with views towards the Montgrí.

A little further south, in Palamós, we recommend you visit the Brugarol winery, with experiences which will bring your five senses to life! Its architectural project, perfectly integrated into nature, is worth a visit in itself. Not only that, you can also enjoy the gastronomic experience there with tastings of their own wines and oils and a menu of four starters, a main dish to choose from and a dessert. All dishes are made with our own products, from the garden and farm, local, organic and fresh products. And to end a great day you cannot miss the guided tour of Mas del Vent, an idyllic tour of the surroundings of this Roman-style farmhouse included in the architectural heritage of Catalonia and which, since 2016, has opened its doors for guided tours in collaboration with the Palamós City Council.

Without leaving Palamós, another way to get to know its coast and the abundance of its vineyards is to follow in the footsteps of Dom Pérignon, an experience led by Naturalwalks, an activity that includes an easy walk that can be combined with a picnic or food and wine pairing among the flowers. If you prefer to enjoy an experience in the sea, La Gastronòmica offers you the chance to sail and savour aboard the Popi, a charming traditional boat where you can rest, sunbathe, snorkel or paddle surf and finish with a complete tasting menu with products from the Palamós Fish Market and wines from the DO Empordà.

And, finally, following the coast, in the protected area of Las Gavarres, occupying the Conca del Tinar de Calonge, we recommend you visit Clos d’Agon. Its history is centred around the main farmhouse of the estate, Mas Gil, which gives its name to the entire property. Located just three kilometres from the sea, with a modern winery perfectly integrated into the environment and with 18 hectares of vineyards and integrated production, they offer exclusive ecotourism and food and wine experiences such as Main Wines, to enjoy a tasting of the most representative wines of the winery in small groups, served in a privileged space; a picnic among vineyards with sea views; or a sea wine tasting with wines and shrimp aboard a boat from the last century, among other options.