International Lodging Corporation

Where Amazing Travel Experiences Begin

Cheers…Alella Wine Region, Barcelona (Spain)

By

Wine enthusiasts who travel to Barcelona and want to explore the local wineries in the region would probably be surprised to find out that they don’t have to venture too far away to find one. Located just 20 minutes outside of the city center (15 kms.), Alella is the closest wine region to the city and one of the best kept secrets in the area. With just 9 wineries and a little over 300 hectares of vineyards, the wine appellation (Denominación de Origen DO) Alella is the smallest DO in Spain.

Alella is a coastal town that has a long tradition of winemaking that dates back to Roman times. The town itself overlooks the Mediterranean and is charming, with architectural highlights from the ancient Roman, Baroque and Modernist periods. The combination of terraced landscapes, layers of limestone, and cooling breezes from the sea produce a wide variety of grapes, including the Pansa Blanca grape (also known as Xarel·lo) that goes into most of the white wines produced in the area. Cava (Spanish sparkling wine) and rustic red wines are also produced in the region.

Alella was designated a DO in 1956. Since then it has shrunk to about a third of its original size, due to the urban expansion that has taken place in the past decades. There do still remain a number of the original farmhouses (called masies in Catalan) that have been passed down through the generations in the families that continue the winemaking tradition to this day. A number of them are open to the public and welcome visitors to tour their wineries and enjoy tastings.

For assistance with your travel plans, including hotel and private tour reservations, click here.

Private Tour from Barcelona – Winery Visit with 4WD Vineyard Tour, Wine Cellar Tour & Tasting in Alella – 4 Hours

By

Alella is one of the smallest wine producing DO (Denominación de Origen) or appellations in Spain, and the closest to Barcelona. Located only 25 minutes (20 km.) from the city, it is a perfect place to visit if you want to take a break, tour a winery and try some of the locally produced wines.

To begin your 4 hour private tour you will be picked up at your hotel for the drive to a local winery in Alella. The estate is a family-run, certified organic winery located on 60 hectares of land just 2 km. from the sea. The vines are planted on slopes and terraces between 100-250 meters above sea level overlooking the Mediterranean. Your winery visit will begin with a tour of the vineyard in a 4WD all-terrain vehicle. Afterwards you will tour the winery and visit the cellar where you can learn about the grape varieties used, how they are harvested (it’s done by hand), and the different types of wines and cavas (sparkling wine) that are produced. The visit will conclude with a tasting of up to 4 selected wines and/or cavas in the visitor center.

After the winery tour your driver will take you into the charming town of Alella. You will have about 1 hour free to explore the town, browse the shops or stop at a restaurant such as Companyia d’Alella Celler i Taverna (a local favorite) to enjoy some tapas and sample some wines before returning to your hotel in the city.

2022 Prices and other info:

Daily

  • Start time at 9:30am
1-3 people 4 people 5 people 6 people
$690 $735 $795 $855

Daily

  • Monday through Saturday: Start times at 10:30am, 11:30am & 3:30pm
  • Sunday: Start times at 10:30am & 11:30am
1-3 people 4 people 5 people 6 people
$720 $765 $830 $890

All tours

  • Price includes a vehicle with driver for 4 hours and a guided tour of the winery, including a 4WD tour of the vineyard
  • Price also includes a tasting of 4 selected wines and/or cavas
  • Price does not include food or other beverages, which are extra
  • Vehicles used: Mercedes sedan for 1-3 people, Mercedes minivan for 4-7 people
  • Vehicles are insured, as required by Spanish law
  • Common languages available: English, Spanish, Catalán
  • Gratuities are not included and are at the discretion of the client
  • Prices are subject to change

For assistance with your travel plans, including hotel and private tour reservations, click here.

100

Private Tours in Jerez – Walking Tour with Sherry Winery Visit & Tasting – 3 Hours

By

Jerez de la Frontera, or Jerez for short, is perhaps best known for the fortified wine (sherry) that takes its name from the city. It is a traditional Andalusian city that dates back to Moorish times. Much of the charm and aristocratic air of the city can still be seen and felt today in the Casco Antiguo (Old Town), the wide streets, and tree-lined squares.

Your guide will meet you at your hotel to begin this 3 hour private walking tour of the Old Town. You will learn about the Hispanic-Muslim origins of the city, how it was transformed when conquered by the Christians, and the impact that sherry had when it became one of the most fashionable drinks in the world in the late 18th to 19th centuries. The tour will include a visit to a local market to learn about the key role it plays in the local community. The last stop on the tour will be a visit to a local sherry bodega (winery), where you will be taken on a private tour that will conclude with a tasting of selected sherries.

2023 Prices and other info:

  • Monday through Friday – start time from 9:30am – 10:30am
1-2 people 3 people 4 people 5 people 6 people
On request On request On request On request On request

Prices available on request for larger groups

All tours

  • Price includes a tour with an official licensed guide for 3 hours
  • Price also includes a private visit to a sherry bodega and a tasting of selected sherries
  • Price does not include entrance fees, food or other beverages (if any), which are extra
  • Language available: English
  • Gratuities are not included and are at the discretion of the client
  • Prices are subject to change

Photo credit: José Luis Filpo Cabana / Photo of the Asunción Square and Church of San Dionisio

For assistance with your travel plans, including hotel and private tour reservations, click here.

and100