Tarragona Wine Route - The Ultimate Guide to the Best Wines in Catalunya
It is not the goal itself that is important, but the path to it. This statement is especially true when it comes to wine routes.
The Tarragona Wine Route in Spain gracefully extends from Tarragona city and the Mediterranean Sea to the rural interior of the Tarragona countryside, the Prades hills, and the valley of the river Ebro (Ebre in Catalan). This location is included on the UNESCO World Heritage List, and you are going to discover why in this blog.
It’s a journey that provides you with the opportunity to immerse yourself in a region’s winemaking heritage with distinctive experiences that pair local wine with gastronomy, history, and culture.
If you're planning a trip to Spain to enjoy delicious local Macabeu surrounded by nature and history, consider a road trip along the Tarragona wine route to get directly to the heart of this fantastic wine region.
What makes Tarragona Wine Route Special?
Tarragona, the main attraction in Spain's Catalonia region, is blessed with sunlight, a gorgeous coastline, an intriguing cuisine culture, and significant historical ruins. Tarragona was also the capital of Hispania under the Roman Empire in 200 BC, making it one the first Roman cities outside of modern Italy. The two thousand year old remains of this may still be seen all across the city, on every street corner.
Nowadays, Tarragona is highly recognized for its hazelnuts, almonds, olives, tomatoes, fruits, rice, and, most importantly, its wines.
Tarragona Wine Region - Immersing in Age-Old Wine Culture
Wines from Tarragona have a long Roman history. The Roman Empire played a major role in the region's development of winemaking in the first century AD. Wine was brought from Tarraco to Rome in amphorae and preserved there when the indicator of origin sign was developed.
A commitment of the local winemakers to the land and the vineyards over the years has been credited with enabling them to overcome any hardships, including the phylloxera pandemic at the end of the 19th century.
Great examples of Tarragona wines include the white, red, and rosé wines, as well as the traditional fortified wines. Today, you can discover Tempranillo, Merlot, Samsó (Carignan), Sumoll, Muscat, Parellada, Grenache, and Macabeu, the appellation's flagship variety, in the DO Tarragona.
Tapping into a long-standing culture that stretches back to the Roman Empire means learning about the wines of the DO Tarragona. With a remarkable historical and cultural background, it has always been associated with producing wines of the greatest caliber. This expansive region's fascinating vine-growing legacy entices tourists to partake in a variety of wine tourism activities. Visit the Tarragona Wine Route's official website for practical information about wine tours and to create a fantastic travel plan.
Top 3 Tarragona Wine Route Exciting Adventures
1.Bike&wine tour through the blooming landscapes of the Tarragona
Many wine regions are located along scenic routes, and Tarragona is no exception! The surroundings are stunning and dramatic. The vineyards are situated in breathtaking places that you would never think were used for cultivation. This is a bike tour of Miravet's flower-filled landscapes culminating with a farmers' breakfast and wine tastings. Pedal while discovering local wines!
2. Wine tasting and a trip around the vineyards on horses
You can join a riding tour on horseback in Tarragona to explore the distinctive wine scenery. Excursion through the Rodonya hamlet and Vinya Janine's organic vineyards, which is followed by a wine and food sampling in the winery.
3. Escape room for wine lovers
Quests are a unique and enjoyable way to pass the time with wonderful friends, family, or coworkers who want to practice team building. In addition to allowing you to solve the logical puzzles and riddles found at classic escape rooms, quests in Tarragona vineyards also teach you about the region's winemaking culture. The tour combines a vineyard tour and tasting with an escape room where you can learn the winery's best kept secrets.
Wineries To Discover In Tarragona Wine Route:
Biopaumerà
An organic winery that uses the most eco-friendly production techniques is called Biopaumera. The Biopaumera organic wines are renowned for their delicate aromas and smooth taste and have earned several gold medals for their elegance.
Casa Vermouth Padró
The family has been in charge of the winery with the same determination and enthusiasm for generations. Now in its sixth generation, the family unquestionably has the same motivation and aspirations. The expertise, techniques, and secrets of winemaking have been gracefully passed down down the generations.
Celler Mas Bella
The winery in Celler Mas Bella, where it currently sits, was established in 2009 with the goal of producing exceptional red, white, and rose wines with the Tarragona Designation of Origin. The crew at Celler Mas Bella is focused on upholding the grandfather's traditions and making sure that the vineyards, the hamlet, and the region are all represented in the wines
Celler Pedrola
Miravet, a hamlet famed for its majestic castle and as the balcony of the Catalan Ebro, is located in the heart of the Ribera d'Ebre. The outstanding terroir of the place produces wines that are harmonious, fruity, and fresh, each with a distinct flavor.
Cellers Blanch
The Blanch family has a long agricultural history that dates back more than 300 years. Xarello, Moscatel, Macabeo, Subirat Parent, Chardonnay, and Tempranillo are just a few of the grapes, in addition to olives and nuts like hazelnuts and almonds, that have been grown by the family over time.
Estol Verd
The owners of the family-run winery Estol Verd are farmers who produce organic wines. Economic, social, and ecological sustainability are the cornerstones of their guiding principles. With these values, a strong passion, a strong will, and persistence, they want to take on responsibility for both the environment and people.
Mas del Botò
Mas Del Botó is a wind farm situated in the municipality of Alforja in the Baix Camp region's Cortiella Valley. The farm has a total area of more than 40 Ha, of which vines occupy 5 Ha. Thirty years ago, the Llauradó brothers, who have a long winemaking history, restored it.
Mas Vicenç
When Vicenç Ferré, the owner at the time, bought a typical farmhouse, the winery was founded. The family has worked to cultivate the vines and create premium wines at Mas Vicenç over the course of numerous generations. Vineyards are grown by Mas Vicenç Winery between 480 and 510 meters above sea level.
Vinícola de Nulles
All wines are built on a foundation of vineyards. The team ensures that only the best grapes are collected in Nulles. Therefore, the job of the winemaker begins in the vineyard with the farmers, who are partners in the winery and bring with them decades of knowledge. The family members personally work in the fields and are familiar with the soil and climate that produce distinctive wines that are a reflection of the region.
Vinyes del Terrer
The family-run Vinyes Del Terrer winery is situated in Vila-Seca, Spain, close to Tarragona and on the shore of the Mediterranean Sea. The family began restoring the 7-hectare wine estate in 1989, and since 2003 they have been making terroir-driven wines with the goal of showcasing the distinctive Mediterranean terroir they have.
What Are the Major Surprises in Tarragona Wine Route?
Tarragona Town Exploring
If you love history as much as you enjoy wine and food, this is a perfect location to base yourself in since it offers breathtaking Roman ruins and delectable Spanish cuisine. Here, you may still see remnants of the Tarraco Roman colony's old city wall, a necropolis with Roman graves, and a Roman arena from the second century with a view of the azure Mediterranean Sea. Tarragona city is also home to a variety of breathtaking urban and natural settings, One of the best places in the city to get a visual experience that you keep in your fond memories. Views that will make you adore Tarragona:
- The Roman Praetorium, one of the oldest viewpoints
- The Mediterranean Balcony viewpoint
- The Cathedral bell tower
- The Sant Antoni viewpoint
- Passeig de la Escullera
Tarragona is a great starting place for exploring the rich cultural, historical, and recreational resources of nearby locations because of its good access points.
The Medieval Town of Siurana
The medieval town of Siurana, which is rightfully called the pearl among the rocks and the most photogenic village of the Tarragona wine region. The picturesque settlement is located at an altitude of 730 meters and keeps memories of many events in the history of the country. Enjoy a walk through this cozy town, see the ruins of an Arab palace of the IX century, cobbled streets surrounded by medieval castles and the governor's fortress, located on the highest point of Siurana. Most of the ancient buildings in Siuran are well preserved due to the unique location of the village, protected by a mountainous natural landscape.
The Delta del Ebro Nature Reserve
The Delta del Ebro Nature Reserve, the largest national park in Catalonia and the second largest park in Spain. This is a place where one of the main rivers of the Iberian Peninsula forms a large delta, and the mountains of the natural park descend to the sea itself. There are the purest kilometer-long beaches, endless rice fields and pink flamingos.
How To Get To Tarragona Wine Route?
By air
Only 7 kilometers from Tarragona, the Reus airport handles charter flights and is supplied by low-cost carriers.
The airport in Barcelona, which is just 82 kilometers from Tarragona, has a variety of daily domestic, international, and transatlantic flights and connections.
By car
The AP-7 freeway and N-340 highway connect the city to Barcelona, Tortosa, and Valencia. Driving is another option for reaching Lleida, Zaragoza, and Madrid. To do this, use the N-240 and merge onto the AP-2 near Montblanc. Reus and Teruel are accessible through the N-420 highway.
By bus
Buses from Tarragona's up-to-date bus terminal travel to most nearby towns. Companies that serve both domestic and international routes are based at the station.
By train
Two railroad stations serve Tarragona. The first is in the city's center and connects to long-distance national and internal trains as well as regional trains to Barcelona, Reus, and Lleida, to Valencia, Madrid and France. The second is the "Camp de Tarragona" High-Speed Train Station, which is only ten minutes from the city center and offers a variety of train connections to Barcelona, Lleida, Saragossa, Madrid, Cordoba, Seville, and, shortly, the rest of Europe.
