The D.O. Empordà wine route
Enjoying wine tourism activities in the Empordà has become a must if you visit the area. Whether you are a wine lover or not, it is a world full of curiosities that will surely capture your attention from minute one. That's why today we invite you to discover a little more about this interesting sector, characterised by its natural landscapes, its nearby local producers and its wide range of options in terms of diversity of experiences.
You may be wondering... but what is the D.O. Empordà? Well, the Empordà Denomination of Origin is a quality certification label governed by Catalan wine law. This certification establishes parameters that control the entire winemaking process of its wineries, in order to guarantee the origin and quality of its wines. The prestige and recognition of our wines are the result of many years of passion and wine-making tradition in our region, which dates back to Roman times, and which over time has become more professional and specialised in the sector of red, white and rosé wines.
The area covered by D.O. Empordà production is made up of 55 municipalities, all located in two counties, Alt and Baix Empordà, in the extreme north-east of Catalonia. Curiously, although both regions are geographically delimiting, the two producing areas that are included in the D.O. Empordà are separated by the beautiful bay of Roses.
The routes between the breathtaking landscapes of the Costa Brava and the Pyrenees are designed to introduce you to the great gastronomic and oenological culture of the region. You will discover our red wines, characterised by their body and harmony in the mouth, and our white wines, with their fresh and aromatic flavours. The cherry-coloured rosé wines are famous for their personality and moderate alcohol content. In addition, the famous variety of natural sweet wine, known as "Garnatxa de l'Empordà", made from the grape variety that gives it its name, the Garnatxa del Empordà, so characteristic of our land. Moscatell de l'Empordà" is also a renowned sweet wine, ideal to accompany any kind of dessert!
Throughout the year, all kinds of activities are offered: concerts among the vineyards, dramatised visits to villages dedicated to viticulture, workshops with sommeliers specialising in DO Empordà wines, family wine tastings, cycling tours through the vineyards ending with a wine tasting... there are endless opportunities to enjoy the Empordà and its wines!
To make your visit easier and not miss any detail, we recommend that you visit the Empordà D.O. Wine Route by following the three routes into which it has been divided, the union of which crosses the Empordà D.O. area from north to south, and allows you to discover all its regions and special features.
The following is a small selection of each section of the route designed by the Patronat de Turisme Costa Brava Pirineu de Girona:
THE EMPORDÀ WINE ROUTE
This route is located in Alt Empordà, the northern part of the wine-growing area. It is the area with the most producers, with a wide variety of wineries, all of which have their own guided tours and a wide range of activities related to the world of wine.
The route follows a path from the coast towards the mountains, passing through the Cap de Creus Natural Park and the Albera Natural Park, both of which are of great interest. Just by the sea you can visit the coastal vineyards, where you will also find the Coll de Roses Wine Centre, which offers an interactive experience about wine and its history. The Alt Empordà road crosses its county capital and Dalí's birthplace, Figueres, home to the Dalí Theatre-Museum, the most important museum of surrealism in the world. If you are interested in galleries, the Perelada Wine Museum houses a wine exhibition of great historical value that is well worth a visit. You can also discover the three monasteries from the Romanesque period, which centuries ago were already making wine.
THE WAY OF WINE AND CORK
On this route, which runs through the south of the D.O. Empordà area, you will discover the process of creating cork stoppers, and their relationship with and importance for Empordà wine. You will be able to see and understand first-hand the cork production process, from the marvellous views of the Gavarras mountain range covered in enzymes, passing through the Cork Museum in Palafrugell. This route is recommended for hiking or cycling, as the views are spectacular, and the routes are suitable for all levels of public.
To finish the route, you can't miss a stop at the Espai de Peix de Palamós-Museu de la Pesca or the Aula Gastronòmica de l'Empordà, two of the area's gastronomic attractions where you can take part in workshops, family activities, cooking courses for all levels, and much more!
If you want to know more, we invite you to visit the official Costa Brava Pirineu website about the DO Empordà wine route... You can't miss it!
SO, DO YOU DARE TO LET YOURSELF BE CARRIED AWAY BY THE AROMAS AND FLAVOURS OF OUR LAND OF WINES?
Discover our experiences with a D.O. Empordà touch in our gifts section.