Extend a stay in Barcelona with a full day in one of Catalunya's eight wine regions/DOs, denominaciones de origen--DO Penedès, the Land of Monks & Wine. Only an hour's train ride from downtown Barcelona, the region has a pre-Roman viticultural tradition, with distinctive terroir and indigenous varietals.

Arriving at Sant Sadurni train station, meet your local wine country guide and host. On leaving the station, vineyards appear-in pocket holdings, larger estates, around medieval walled villages, and alongside the winding roads of this region whose climate is influenced by both the mountains and the sea. Begin your tour with a vineyard visit and gaze towards the Pyrenees. Tour bodegas/wineries, meet the enologists and learn about their products and the future for the region. Enjoy a professional tasting of several wines in each bodega, and record your impressions on your tasting notes.

As elswhere in Spain, Cistercian friars were the first, in the modern era, to replant vineyards once stocked by Romans and Phoenicians. Step inside the cool stone walls of one of these ancient monasteries surrounded by vineyards, and learn about the community from one of the monks.

Along the way, enjoy a full lunch in a Catalan masía/farmhouse, outside a medieval walled village. Return with your guide, at day's end, to the station and transfer back to Barcelona.

This is an all inclusive tour from Sant Sadurni.

Similar day tours available from Barcelona:
Services included: Hotel pick up/drop off; transport; entrances; 3 course lunch; wine tastings + visit to 2 bodegas; one cultural visit; wine tasting notes; English-speaking guide/driver.

• Empordà & Costa Brava
• Priorat