The Penedès is Spain's cava heartland — a rolling landscape of vineyards between the coast and the mountains where over 95% of Spain's sparkling wine is produced. Located 45 kilometres from Camping La Noria, it offers wine-lovers a day of vineyard tours, cellar visits and tastings in a beautiful agricultural setting.
Stretching inland from the Garraf coast to the pre-Pyrenean foothills, the Penedès DO encompasses three distinct zones — Baix Penedès near the sea, Mitjà Penedès on the central plain, and Alt Penedès at higher altitudes. Each produces wines with different character, from light Mediterranean whites to structured reds, but cava — the traditional-method sparkling wine — is the region's flagship.
Sant Sadurní d'Anoia is the capital of cava. The town is home to over a hundred cellars, from the global-scale operations of Codorníu and Freixenet (whose historic cellars are themselves worth visiting) to tiny family-run producers crafting artisan cavas with character and complexity. Most wineries welcome visitors for guided tours and tastings, typically lasting 60-90 minutes, and many can be booked at short notice outside peak weekends.
Vilafranca del Penedès, the cultural capital of the region, houses the Vinseum — one of the best wine museums in Europe, tracing the region's winemaking history from Roman times to the present in a Gothic palace. The town also has an excellent Saturday market and a reputation for its castells (human towers), which are particularly impressive during the August Festa Major.
Beyond wine, the Penedès landscape itself is the attraction. Vine-covered hills, stone farmhouses (masies), medieval churches and panoramic views of Montserrat create a scenic backdrop for leisurely drives or cycling. Several wineries offer lunch or picnic experiences among the vines, combining gastronomy with landscape in a way that few wine regions manage so accessibly.
From Camping La Noria, drive north on the AP-7 or C-32 towards Vilafranca del Penedès, then continue to Sant Sadurní if your focus is cava. The 45 km journey takes about 40 minutes.
Why Visit Penedès Wine Region
The Penedès offers one of Spain's most accessible and enjoyable wine-tourism experiences. You can visit world-famous cellars, taste excellent cavas and wines, and enjoy vineyard landscapes — all within a 40-minute drive from your campsite. For couples, it is an ideal day out; for families, the combination of scenery, food and the Vinseum makes it engaging even for non-drinkers.
How to Get There
Drive 45 km north from Camping La Noria on the AP-7 or C-32 towards Vilafranca del Penedès. For cava cellars, continue to Sant Sadurní d'Anoia. The drive takes about 40 minutes. Both towns have central parking.
Train to Vilafranca del Penedès (40 min)
Best Time to Visit
The Penedès is beautiful year-round, but late September and October — harvest season (la verema) — are magical, with activity in the vineyards and special harvest events at many wineries. Spring brings wildflowers among the vines. Summer mornings are pleasant for tastings before the midday heat. Avoid Sundays and Mondays, when many smaller wineries are closed.
Tips
Book winery visits in advance, especially at smaller producers — drop-ins are sometimes possible but not guaranteed.
Designate a driver or consider booking a wine-tour service that includes transport from the Costa Dorada.
Visit the Vinseum in Vilafranca for context before your tastings — it enriches the cellar visits enormously.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is the Penedès wine region from Camping La Noria?
The main Penedès towns of Vilafranca del Penedès and Sant Sadurní d'Anoia are approximately 45 km from Camping La Noria, about 40 minutes by car.
Can families with children visit Penedès wineries?
Yes. Many wineries welcome families, and children can enjoy the vineyard tours and grape-juice tastings even if they cannot participate in wine tasting. The Vinseum in Vilafranca has interactive exhibits suitable for children, and the landscape itself — vineyards, stone farmhouses, mountain views — is enjoyable for all ages.
