Getaway to Alt Penedès: Castles and vineyards by the Foix River

Upon arriving in the region, we go up to Subirats Castle, an excellent viewpoint to get an idea of what surrounds us and the many vineyards in the municipal area of Subirats.

We have references to the castle dating back to the year 917 and it was the first construction of these characteristics in the region. The master or homage tower stands proud before the visitor marking the highest point of the building. Partially rebuilt ‒ the castle suffered its biggest destruction in the 17th century, during the War of Els Segadors ‒, inside we will find some surprises, such as a stone from the Via Augusta around 2,000 years old that was converted into a sarcophagus. It is in the so-called Millennium Hall. The castle museum, opened four years ago, displays other interesting pieces, such as coins, old bells or the stretchers used for hundreds of years to carry the deceased of the nearby country houses along the path of El Ordal to the church of Sant Pere de Subirats.

This former church of Sant Pere has been the shrine of the Virgin of la Fontsanta since 1726 and is located on a lower level of the fortress. It is also worth visiting. It has a single nave ground floor, with side chapels and a semicircular apse partly carved out of the rock.

We have the whole of the second day to enjoy the region of Penedès. We think it is worth discovering the path of the Foix River, a route that follows the banks of this short river that crosses Alt Penedès and that you can combine with the Joc del Foix, a game available online that consists of solving questions and riddles that emerge throughout the route. As you can imagine, it is ideal if you have kids with you. Moreover, if you buy the game you have a free meal in a restaurant in Sant Martí Sarroca and a visit to a winery.

You can start the route wherever you like and do part or all of it (in the second case, you will probably need more than one day). As we were in Subirats yesterday, we should mention that if you are still there today the stretch of the river path that goes through the town is the best way to discover its different population centres and explore the vine crops, forest and shore area.

To finish off this weekend in Penedès, there is nothing better than a visit to a winery to discover how they make the great treasure of these lands. So we are going to Sant Pau d'Ordal ‒ also within the municipal area of Subirats ‒ to visit the winery and estate of Eudald Massana Noya. The history of the country house dates back to the 18th century and nine generations have already been its custodians. In the 30 hectares of vineyards, ten grape varieties are grown to produce wine and cava, while always respecting the biological and ecological balance of the area.

The winery organises a wide range of activities around the vine, such as a walk through the estate for people starting out in the world of wine or other walks that explore the work of the vineyard and winery, technical visits or grape tasting. There is also a more traditional visit consisting of a tour of the facilities to explain the production of wine and cava including a final wine tasting. In short, there is nothing better than enjoying the essence of Alt Penedès to round off your trip.