Tour Summary
Highlights
- One of the pretties wine regions in Spain
- Powerful and distinctive wines
- Spectacular scenery
- Varied rich gastronomy
Cast any preconceptions aside, prepare for an experience unlike any other.
On arrival, you can decide to be being chauffeur driven or have a
hire car fitted with GPS. On the way to Priorat, you have a choice: go
inland to see to one of Spain’s most sacred monasteries built amongst
the jagged peaks of the Montserrat mountains accessed by funicular
railway. Or drive down the coast to the charming seaside town of Sitges
for a seafood lunch overlooking the Mediterranean.
Then continue to discover a hidden piece of heaven – Priorat, a
small area within a fertile valley encircled by mountains. Terraces of
wild flowers, olive trees and vines hug the mountain slopes. At it
centre is a 12th century monastery, Cartoixa d’Scala Dei (the ladder to
God) where Carthusian monks laid the foundations for winemaking that
has recently been declared DOQ (Denominación de Origen Calificada), one
of only two wine regions in Spain to have this honour. Its primary
production is big red wines characterised by the black volcanic shale
known as Llicorella.
Surrounding Priorat is Montsant whose wine is designated DO
(Denominación de Origen). The same vines grow in an identical climate
but in a variety of soils at differing altitudes accounts for the
subtle changes of personality. Both Priorat and Montsant produce red
and white wines that have won the respect of connoisseurs throughout
the world.
You will visit some of the famous wineries and meet the people
who have made them what they are. There will be wine-tasting
accompanied by expert commentaries. You will visit village markets
selling wonderful locally grown vegetables; the perfect introduction to
the hands-on cookery class where you will learn the gastronomic
secrets of this extraordinary paradise.
Your hotel is located in a 400-year old abbey that has been
beautifully restored with all the latest facilities. There is a cosy
bar within the venerable old stone walls of the basement.
Itinerary
DAY ONE
After breakfast you will pickup of your car hire fitted
with GPS for your next gourmet-wine adventure. Before arriving to our
selected local gourmet hotel in Priorat we suggest driving to
Montserrat crossing picturesque provincial villages, you will arrive to
the free car park at the bottom of Monserrat and will take the
electric-cable to the incomparable setting of Montserrat mountain which
rises to 1.235 meters of height and holds the Royal Basilica and the
Monastery, where the Moreneta Virgen (Virgen de Montserrat) is kept.
We can also suggest to drive to the wonderful seaside
town of Sitges to enjoy a walk by the beach, perhaps some seafood
specialities and a stroll through Sitges Unique old quarter, before
continuing to your next destination: Priorat which is on the way from
Sitges.
Once your visits is complete to Montserrat and Sitges
and after some free time for wandering around and perhaps lunch next to
the Monastery or having some seafood delicacies overlooking the sea in
Sitges (we can recommend restaurants on the seafront), you will drive
to our next destination: Priorat.
You will be arriving to our chosen hotel in Torroja in
the heart of Priorat, built over the old abbey of Torroja , a
construction of over 400 years old.
In the evening you will be given a welcome dinner at the
hotel- traditional restaurant sampling local Catalonian food with
Priorat wines.
If you have chosen the second option a driver guide will
pick you up from Barcelona and take you to your hotel in Priorat.
(please note that your drive guide will only do the transfer from
Barcelona to Priorat, he will not take you to Montserrat or Sitges)
DAY TWO
After breakfast we head to the little picturesque village of Porrera. Tour and tasting of famous winery, Vall Llach owned by famous singer-songwriter, Lluis Llach.
Celler Vall Llach is fortunate in possessing a selection
of magnificent old estates – the so-called trossos – whose 60- to
90-year old Cariñena and Garnacha vines assure an excellent quality
wine. A balanced combination of tradition and cutting-edge technology
is strictly applied to all of the creative processes that culminate in
the wine you drink: cultivation, harvesting, fermentation, maceration,
pressing, ageing and bottling. Highly recommended visit.
We proceed to visit a highly reputable family winery:
Joan Simó, it is located in the basement of one of the oldest houses in
the village. From the very first day Celler Joan Simo has been
characterised for the illusion in making unique high quality wines
with personality. Tour and tasting.
Transfer to Cornudella de Montsant and little hamlet of Siurana.
Spectacular views. Option here to buy local produce in agrobotiga
shop and have an improvised picnic overlooking Siurana reservoir on the
cliff-top or have a traditional lunch in one of the local restaurants
in the village.
Visit this cliff-top historic village which was the last
Moorish stronghold in Catalonia. Option to visit the Romanesque church
and to hear the legend of the Moorish Queen’s last leap. Option to buy
cheeses and olive oils at local produce shop in Siurana or in
Cornudella.
Transfer back to Torroja.
DAY THREE
After breakfast you will have a first class private
guided visit to one of the pioneers in the Priorat wine region, having
spectacular wines recognised by wine experts all over the world.Wine
tasting.
Although the official name of the winery is Costers del
Siurana, it is principally known by its famed Priorat wine brand, Clos
de l'Obac. Clos de l'Obac is a powerful red wine, made with a blend of
five grape varieties, and with grapes from fifty year old Garnacha and
Cariñena vines.
This leading winery is located in the pretty wine village
of Gratallops, right next to Rene Barbier's Clos Mogador. Clos de
l'Obac is run by the visionary Carles Pastrana. Carles Pastrana is
passionate about his wines and he is one of the most charming wine
personalities in Spain. Carles is credited with being one of the first
in the region, along with Rene Barbier and Josep Lluis Perez as well as
Daphne Glorian and later on Alvaro Palacios, to realize the enormous
potential of Priorat as a wine region. This was in the 1980's. However,
Carles Pastrana's family was already in the region in the '70's,
discovering old vines and doing experimental viticulture. Transfer to
Falset.
After being delighted by one of the best wineries in The
Priorat we visit the fruit and vegetable market followed by a hands
-on cooking class at a traditional restaurant with a local chef. The
cooking class will be based on typical dishes from the area using fresh
local ingredients . The cooking class will be followed by lunch.
Following the cooking class and delicious lunch your
will be going to Barcelona airport in your car hire provided. (subject
to flight times) or the guide will take you back to Barcelona or your
next destination, depending on the type of tour you have reserved.
Accommodation
ACCOMMODATION IN PRIORAT
In the center of the Priorat built over the old
abbey of Torroja del Priorat, a construction of over 400 years old. The
hotel is located in the Torroja del Priorat, the Priorato's
geographical center. You will have the chance to know the Priorato, a
region that will surprise you by its marvelous landscapes, the
combination of lush forests with vineyards and olives. You will also
find possibilities of enjoying cultural visits, adventure sports as
well as a wine and olive region with Priorato qualified Designation of
Origin.Hotel, restaurant and agrobiotics.
Our Chef’s professional experience in other regions
and countries has filled our traditional and typically Priorato cuisine
with innovative touches and diverse culinary options.
Rooms: Suites, double rooms, single rooms and rooms suitable for handicapped guests.
Panoramic views, air-conditioning, 24-hour access to
internet, background music, hair dryer, 12-hour room service, wine
list and coffee service.
The PUB of the hotel is placed in the low part of the
abbey where they were finding the guardianships and warehouse of the
former abbey.
In this space we will find a cosy place to take a few glasses with good music in a few comfortable sofas.
Hotel Hall: It includes different rooms with coffee service.
Conference Room, Wine-tasting Room, Wine Club, Restaurant, Wine Stor
