International Lodging Corporation

Customized travel services in Spain & Portugal since 1983

Cheers…Alella Wine Region, Barcelona (Spain)

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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

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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.

2020 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.

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Private Tours in Jerez – Foodie Tour with Winery Visit, Sherry Tasting & Tapas Lunch – 5 Hours

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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.

This 5 hour private tour focuses on the food and wines of Jerez, and will introduce you to the history and character of the Sherry capital through the lens of its local bars, market stalls, ancient bodegas and secret food corners.

Your local guide will meet you at your hotel to begin your foodie tour of Jerez. You will begin with a typical Andalusian breakfast to learn about the social ritual of the first meal of the day for the locals. Next you will move on to a local market to sample some selected local treats and find out how the produce influences the local cuisine. From there you will move on to a sherry bodega to learn about how sherry is made, the aging process and the different types of sherries produced. The tour will include tastings of different types of sherry and you will also learn about how to pair food with sherry. The last stop on your tour will be a local sherry bar, where you will enjoy a tapas lunch that will include a sherry pairing.

2020 Prices and other info:

  • Tuesday through Saturday – start time at 9:30am
1-2 people 3 people 4 people 5 people 6 people
$1,210 $1,320 $1,625 $1,740 $1,855

Prices available on request for larger groups

All tours

  • Price includes a tour with a licensed driver and transportation for 8 hours, and an official licensed guide in Jerez for 5 hours
  • Price also includes a typical Andalusian breakfast, tastings in a local market, a private visit to a sherry bodega with a tasting of selected sherries, and a tapas lunch with up to 5 tapas and 5 sherries per person
  • Price does not include entrance fees, other food or beverages (if any), which are paid by the client during the tour
  • Vehicles are insured, as required by Spanish law
  • Language available: English
  • Gratuities are not included and are at the discretion of the client
  • Prices are subject to change

Photo credit: AntonioJACS / Mercado Central de Abastos

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

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