Golf and wine in Barcelona, a perfect pairing
For golfers who appreciate wine, Barcelona is a real paradise. Enjoying good wine is one of the activities that should be on the ‘to do’ list when you come here. There’s no denying that wine and golf go hand in hand. Most events, whether they are big Majors or amateur tournaments, end with trophies being awarded, and we raise our glasses to the players.
Wine tourism and playing on good golf courses make the perfect duo with Barcelona Golf Destination. You might come on business, for culture or holidays, with the added incentive of going winetasting with partners, a group of friends or fellow adventurers. You can come to Barcelona to a trade fair, to admire the Sagrada Familia or to swim at the beach, and at the same time you can enjoy a visit to a winery, take a stroll surrounded by vineyards, or have a gastronomic dinner, following or followed by with a pleasant round of 18 holes.
More than 2,500 years ago, the Romans and the Iberians cultivated vines here to obtain wine. The vinyards have sculpted the Barcelona landscape over time, where the climatic conditions are ideal for the production of world-famous wines and cavas. In the same area, we have some of the best golf courses in Europe.
To breath in the bouquet of these exciting experiences yet to be discovered, there are three main golf and wine routes we’d like to recommend in Barcelona, with which to immerse yourself in ‘Denominación de Origen’ (DO) vineyards while reserving your tee time at the nearby golf courses.
DO Penedes golf, wine and cava route
In addition to the DO Penedes, the DO Cava is also of great importance, both framed in an area of 24,000 hectares. Being one of the oldest wine regions in Europe, dating back to the 6th century BC, its rolling vineyards are ideal for the production of top quality wines. With more than 75 wineries of different sizes, the Penedés offers dream routes to be enjoyed all through the year, with great wine, fantastic golf plans, and the pleasure of resting in a calm and healthy environment.
There are charming places to visit, such as the archaeological centre of Olérdola or the monumental complex of Sant Martí Sarroca, and notable towns such as Sant Sadurní d’Anoia, with its Cava Centre, and Vilafranca del Penedés, with its VINSEUM. Macabeo, Xarello and Parellada have established themselves as the traditional white varieties of sparkling wine. A recommended visit is to the modernist Codorniu winery, with 26 kilometres of underground cellars, in addition to the Freixenet, Torelló, Raventós i Blanc or Gramona cellars, together with wine cellars of great international prestige such as Familia Torres.
In the heart of Alt Penedes is the Club de Golf Barcelona, in Sant Esteve Sesrovires, with facilities surrounded by a sea of vineyards and masias (typical rural residences), and impressive views of the south side of the Montserrat mountain. You have the comfort of staying at the Hotel Barcelona Golf Resort, a 4-star hotel right in front of the golf course, from where a ‘Special Cellar’ getaway is organized for you.
From the mountains to the sea, the maritime Penedes includes beaches such as those of Sitges, a beautiful coastal town south of Barcelona which is popular for its special charm. Its attractions include architectural jewels such as Cau Ferrat and Palau Maricel, 17 beaches, three marinas and, of course, the Club de Golf Terramar. Flanked by a series of recommended hotels, such as the Sunway Playa Golf & Spa, Me Sitges Terramar and Dolce Sitges, it is the best option for lovers of links.
DO Alella golf and wine route
Just 15 minutes north of Barcelona, the DO Alella lies between the Serralada Litoral Park and the Mediterranean coast, where the sun shines almost every day of the year. With its 225 hectares it looks relatively small, and yet it is home to almost a dozen family cellars that have earned a high reputation for the superb quality of their light, perfumed, elegant and crystalline white wines, made from the native Pansa Blanca variety.
The area includes routes through Alella, Badalona, Tiana-Mongat, Vallés and Maresme. In the Vallés Oriental, the Celler Maria Can Roda and the church of Santa Maria de Martorelles are worth a visit, while playing at the Club de Golf Vallromanes, in Vallromanes, and staying at the Hotel Can Galvany or the Hotel Mas Salagros Ecoresort. In the same area you can play at Golf La Roca, in La Roca del Vallés, the ideal spot for those who love shopping, since it is just one kilometre from the La Roca Village shopping mall.
On the same route, at the edge of Alella but on the other side of Mataró, the Club de Golf Llavaneras in Sant Andreu de Llavaneras offers a charming British-style course. Here you can play with impressive views of the Mediterranean from its 18 holes, with the opportunity to stay at the Santa Romana Resort Apartments or the Atenea Port Mataró Hotel.
DO Pla de Bages golf and wine route
Located in the heart of Catalonia, the DO Pla de Bages emerges from dry stone constructions, excavated wine presses and vats in the middle of the region’s forests, where wine from the Bages lands was historically stored and produced. Fifteen wineries run by lineages of vineyard owners and century-old cooperatives continue the tradition, producing wine with a unique bouquet on the northern slopes of Monserrat and the Geopark, a UNESCO World Heritage Site which is an ideal natural area for geotourism.
Appreciated for its native grape variety, Picapoll, the white wines are light and exquisite, bright yellow in color. The red and pink wines, using other varieties, are fruity and aromatic. With authentic treasures in the midst of the vineyards, there are numerous tailor-made oenological experiences around Manresa. One of the best game options is Golf Montanyà in El Brull, another place of great beauty in the interior of Barcelona at the foot of the Montseny Natural Park, where you can enjoy a splendid meal accompanied by a good local wine in its gastronomic restaurant L’Estanyol.
If the plan is to enjoy the full spread by touring and experiencing all the golf and wine options in Barcelona for several days, the best option is to play at the exclusive Real Club de Golf El Prat, in Terrassa, with recommended accommodation at the modern Hotel La Mola Resort. Located at a strategic point almost equidistant from Penedes, Alella and Pla de Bages, its central location offers great accessibility to all routes, as well as to the other Barcelona Golf Destination golf courses. You can choose the courses you’d like to play by creating your own Golf Pass BCN.
Finally, remember that Barcelona is the venue for important events related to wine. The next one is the Barcelona Wine Week show, which will be held from 4th to 6th April, 2022 at the Montjuïc facilities of Fira de Barcelona.
Let’s raise a glass to your next golf and wine gateway to Barcelona, of course.
Miguel Ángel Buil
Editor of MyGolfWay.com
IGTWA Member
