Visiting Codorníu, Spain's Oldest Family Business

There are many wineries one can visit in the grape-rich country of Spain but few – if any – measure up to Codorníu. The estate has become so synonymous with cava that oftentimes one can't be mentioned without the other. That's because the Codorníu Raventos family has been in the business for more than 450 years, which makes them the oldest family operation in all of Spain.

We decided to make a visit to the Codorníu estate to take in one of Spain's most decorated wineries. From the rich history to its incredible cellars, it is a site to behold.

Visiting the Winery

There are a number of key things you'll want to see at the Codorníu estate. From the vineyards to the old winery – the first one designed by Puig I Cadafalch that has since been converted into a museum – and the underground, there's much more here than just a tasting room and a shop.

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Tours of Different Kinds

The grounds are so vast at Codorníu that you can spend hours getting lost in them. For those who are looking for a full experience, look into the food pairings. You can opt for breakfast before the tour, a cheese and cava pairing exposé, and an ebike ride through the winery. There are also guided tours and you can opt for the audiovisual documentary with 3D glasses, which is a good way to get introduced to the winery's history.

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A Winery with a Train

Yes, that's how big the cellars are at Codorníu. Sink down four floors to the catacombs where the caves are so vast that merely walking through isn't an option. That's because there are more than thirty kilometers of musty tunnels where the ninety-million-bottle collection is held. To get a tiny taste of the magnitude, hop on board a little train for a guided ride.

Even for those who aren't necessarily wine connoisseurs, the underground is a site to appreciate as an architectural masterpiece.

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What Else to Do in the Neighborhood

Montserrat Mountain is a holy place for pilgrimage, and the legendary mountain is near Codorníu, easily accessible by car. There are also some tours from Barcelona that will take you from the city to the winery and mountain in the same day.

Pares Balta is another fantastic winery that is located in Penedes. They make excellent wines across the board at reasonable price points. What's particularly unique about this winery is their focus on being conscious of the environment. Instead of mowing down areas to create space for their grapes, they only plant them in areas that have been naturally vacated. It makes it much more difficult to manage and collect, but Mother Earth appreciates their organic effort.

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Spanish cuisine is at its finest at Cal Xim. Get comfortable in their relaxed atmosphere and settle in for a few hours while they serve you all sorts of Spanish creations out of their wood-fired oven. The white bean stew is fantastic, as is the rabbit. It's the ideal spot for a typical Spanish lunch where you eat, socialize, and relax for hours before going on about your day.

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