In the Province of Girona in Catalonia, you will find many treasures, amongst them the DO Emporda Wine Route. The Emporda D.O. Wine Route gives you the opportunity to discover the wine-making secrets of the region, appreciate its history and spend time in magical settings. It’s also a great way to immerse yourself in the gastronomic identity of the area. In the region of Empordà, there has been a gastronomic movement headed up by people like Ferran Adrià, which combines the nouvelle cuisine with the traditional dishes of the area. Of course these are all wonderfully complemented by the region’s Empordà D.O. (D.O. = destination of origin) wines.

In case you’re not familiar with the area, it has a number of breathtaking coves and beaches, medieval villages, Romanesque art, Gothic architecture and almost endless culture and history. On top of all this, you can also visit the towns that make up the Dali triangle – and follow in the footsteps of the genius Salvador Dali, in Cadaques, Figueres and Púbol.

It’s a dramatic, unique setting with some strikingly beautiful natural areas, and landscapes that link the mountains to the sea. The winemaking tradition of the area, can most likely be dated back to Roman times, but most certainly to Greek times. You can also find some interesting megaliths and menhirs in the Empordà. All of these ingredients are made even tastier when you add in the fishing villages, friendly locals and numerous festivals.

DO Emporda Wine Route – The Vineyards, Climate & Soils

The climate here is particularly suited to growing vines which are not quite so harsh as some wines from the south, yet are good quality wines. Although the region experiences hot summers, these are cooled with sea breezes. Of course the temperature drops during winter time, but the area tends to get few frosts. Each year there is approximately 600 litres of rainfall, and the temperature yearly average is between 14°C and 16°C. The Tramontane plays a big part in the climate of this area. It is a northerly winds, that can be extremely strong and actually sometimes have gusts over 120 km/h and is very beneficial for the health of the vines.

Much of the land of the area has soils which are acidic, with low content of the organic materials, and sandy textures. On the plains we find alluvial soils, and in the mountain areas soils are granitic and somewhat slatey. The soil of the region is perfect for quality wine-making.

The vines in the vast majority of the vineyards are older, often over 30 years of age. As you may know older vines are known to produce high-quality wines. Over the years improvements have been made to the wine-making techniques.

To see a full wine catalogue, as well as the features and vintages go to the official DO Emporda website.

Tourist Offices

Further below is a list of all the wineries and the associated tourist offices/town councils for these towns and villages. If you wish to find out the options before travelling you could make the local tourist office your first point of contact. Of course there are also companies that provide tours, some of these done with a little bit of a twist. The next section highlights some of these, mainly chosen as they appear to have received approval from the main Costa Brava tourist authority. Please note that the time of writing the first draft of this article, we have not taken any of these tours ourselves, and therefore cannot make any personal recommendations.

Wine Tour Companies

Figueres and close by

The first few companies are based in, or close to Figueres, although some of their routes may start off in other locations. Figueres is an interesting city in its own right, as well as being home to the Dali Theatre Museum, which is part of the Dali triangle.

Viemocions – Culture of Wine – 934 877 626

A travel agency that specialises in wine tourism, Viemocions can give you an in-depth insight into the region’s wine culture and the people behind it. They have an interesting range of options, for example of wine medieval route on bike, and they can also tailor routes and events to suit your own needs.

Website: http://www.viemocions.com/en

 

Terramar Natura & Cultura – Terramar Nature & Culture – Phone: 618 547 958

This company has been running for over 10 years, and promotes and organises tours for the social, natural and cultural heritage of the area. They can guide you through discovering the world of the local wine heritage, and bring you to a variety of wineries. Terramar are based in Vilabertran, which is not far from Figueres, about 6 km.

Website: www.terramar.org

 

We Bike Girona – The name kind of gives it away!! – Email: info@webikegirona.com

From 1-day tours to week-long wine and cycling tours, this company specialises in cycling, wine and gourmet food tours. They can also offer tailor-made tours.

Website: http://webikegirona.com/

Vinos del Empordà – Book Visits & More On This Site – 972 208 496

You can book either cellar visits or Enotourism packs on this website.

Enotourism packs – http://www.rutasdevinosemporda.es/packs-enoturismo.html

Visits – http://www.rutasdevinosemporda.es/visitas-bodegas-emporda-1-0.html

 

Cellar Tours, Luxury Wine Tour Specialist – Phones: USA – 310 496 8061 – Spain – 911 436 553

If it is the ultimate luxury wine tour of the region you are looking for, this company comes recommended by the likes of the Telegraph, the Times, Frommers, Forbes and National Geographic Traveller.

Website: http://www.cellartours.com/spain/wine-tours/luxury-catalonia.html

List of Wineries & Related Tourist Offices/Town Councils

Agullana

Còsmic Vinyaters
Plaça Maria Teresa Pallejà 3
Agullana 17707

Agullana Tourism – Part of the Town Council – Phone: 972 535 206
Website: http://ca.agullana.cat/turisme/

Cadaqués

Celler Martín Faixó
Mas Perafita. Ctra. de Cadaqués s/n
Cadaqués 17480

Cadaques Tourism – Phone: 972 258 315
Website: http://www.visitcadaques.org/

Read our Cadaques Spain Travel Guide

Calonge

Bodegas Clos d’Agon
C/ Afores s/n
Calonge 17251

Castell de Calonge
Sant Natzari 20
Calonge 17251

Celler Mas Eugeni
Mas Eugeni Paratge del Ronquillo s/n
Calonge 17251

Calonge Tourism – Phone: 972 661 714
Website: http://www.calonge-santantoni.com/index.php?chlan=gb

Cantallops

Masia Serra
Carrer dels Solés 20
Cantallops 17708

Vinyes dels Aspres
Carrer Requesens 7
Cantallops 17708

Cantallops Tourism – Part of the Town Council – Phone 972 554 885
Website: http://www.cantallops.cat/

Capmany

Aldea de Buscarós
Carretera de Darnius km. 25
Capmany 17750

Castillo de Capmany
Plaça del Fort 8
Capmany 17750

Celler Arché Pagès
Carrer Sant Climent 31.
Capmany 17750

Celler Marià Pagès
Pujada 6
Capmany 17750

Cellers Santamaria
Plaça Major 6
17750 – Capmany

Oliveda S.A.
La Roca 3
Capmany 17750

Oliver Conti S.L.
Puignau s/n
Capmany 17750

Pere Guardiola
Ctra. GI-602 km 29
Capmany 17750

Vinyes d’Olivardots
Paratge d’Olivardots s/n
Capmany 17750

Capmany Tourism – Part of the Town Council – Phone 972 549 017
Website: http://www.capmany.cat/index.php

Cistella

Bodegas Mas Vida
Afores s/n
Cistella 17741

Cistella Tourism – Part of the Town Council – Phone 972 547 093
Website: http://www.cistella.cat/

Colera

Celler Hugas de Batlle
C/ Francesc Rivera 28-30
Colera 17496

Colera Tourism – Part of the Town Council – Phone 972 389 050
Website: http://www.colera.cat/guia-del-poble/oficina-de-turisme/

Cruïlles Monells i Sant Sadurní de l’Heura

Sota els Àngels
Afores s/n
Cruïlles Monells i Sant Sadurní de l’Heura 17116

Cruïlles Monells i Sant Sadurní de l’Heura Tourism – Part of Town Council – Phone 972 640 573
Website: http://www.cruilles.cat/

Espolla

Celler Cooperatiu d’Espolla
Ctra. de Roses s/n
17753 – Espolla

Setzevins Celler
Relliquer 11
Espolla 17753

Espolla Tourism – Part of Town Council – Phone 972 563 179
Website: http://www.espolla.cat/

Fonteta

Celler Mas Anglada
Camí de Fitor s/n
Fonteta 17110

Celler Mas Patiràs
Jardins de l’Empordà – Jardí botànic
Fonteta 17110

Fonteta Tourism, Part of Town Council – Phone 972 645 522
Website: www.forallac.cat

Garriguella

Bodegues Trobat
Castelló 10
Garriguella 17780

Cooperativa Agrícola de Garriguella
Carretera de Roses s/n
Garriguella 17780

Mas Llunes
Ctra de Vilajuïga s/n – Paratge El Pla
Garriguella 17780

Masetplana
Paratge dels Pedreguers s/n
Garriguella 17780

Garriguella Tourism, Part of Town Council – Phone 972 530 093
Website: http://www.garriguella.cat/

La Selva de Mar

Mas Estela
La Selva de Mar 17489

La Selva de Mar Tourism, Part of Town Council – Phone 972 387 025
Website: www.selvamar.cat/

Masarac

Castell de Biart
Ctra. de Vilarnadal a Peralada km 18
Masarac 17763

Masarac Tourism, Part of Town Council – Phone 972 563 282
Website: http://www.masarac.cat/

Mollet de Peralada

*lavinyeta
Carretera de Mollet a Masarac
Mollet de Peralada 17752

Roig Parals
Garriguella 8
Mollet de Peralada 17752

Vinícola del Nordest
Espolla 9
Mollet de Peralada 17752

Mollet de Peralada Tourism, Part of Town Council – Phone 972 563 314
Website: http://www.molletperalada.cat/

Palamós

Celler Bell-Lloc
Finca Bell-Lloc
Palamós 17230

Palamós Tourism, Phone: 972 600 550
Website: http://www.visitpalamos.cat/en/

Read our Palamos Spain Travel Guide

Palau Saverdera

Celler Mas Romeu
C/ Gregal 1
Palau Saverdera 17495

Palau Saverdera Tourism, Part of Town Council – Phone 972 530 206
Website: http://www.palausaverdera.cat/

Pau

Empordàlia
Carretera de Roses s/n
Pau 17494

Peralada

Castell Peralada
Sant Joan 9
Peralada 17491

Peralada Tourism, Part of Town Council – Phone 972 538 840
Website: http://en.visitperalada.cat/

Rabós d’Empordà

Cellers d’en Guilla
Camí de Peralada 1. Barri de Delfià.
Rabós d’Empordà 17754

Sant Climent Sescebes

Celler Martí Fabra
Vic 26
Sant Climent Sescebes 17751

Terra Remota
Els Tallats s/n
Sant Climent Sescebes 17751

Sant Climent Sescebes Tourism, Part of Town Council – Phone 972 536 007
Website: http://www.santcliment.cat/

Torrent

Mas Oller
Ctra. GI-652 km 0235
Torrent 17123

Torrent Tourism, Part of Town Council – Phone 972 611 667
Website: http://www.torrent.cat/

Vall-Llobrega

Can Sais
Raval de Dalt 10
Vall-Llobrega 17253

Vall-Llobrega Tourism, Part of Town Council – Phone 972 315 464
Website: http://www.vall-llobrega.cat/

Vilajuïga

Espelt Viticultors
Mas Espelt
Vilajuïga 17493

Gelamà
Estació 6
Vilajuïga 17493

Vilajuïga Tourism, Part of Town Council – Phone 972 530 005
Website: http://www.vilajuiga.cat/

Vilamaniscle

AV Bodeguers
Baldiri s/n
Vilamaniscle 17781

Vilamaniscle Tourism, Part of Town Council – Phone 972 530 518
Website: http://www.vilamaniscle.cat/