Penedès Vineyards
Alella Grape Harvest Festival
Phylloxera Festival
Autumn is synonymous with the grape harvest
Grape harvest time
The grape harvest has always been a festive event. Since ancient times, grape harvesting has been conceived as a ritual, either because of its Mediterranean roots or because of the camaraderie generated among teams of grape pickers. Although the process is mostly mechanised nowadays, picking grapes from the vine is still a reason for celebration, and there are many towns and cities in the regions of Barcelona that organise harvest festivals where everyone is welcome. So get your diary out!
With wine as the star of the show, a festive calendar stretches along the Wine Routes of the regions of Barcelona. The festival that usually kicks off the season is the Wine Harvest Festival in the Penedès region. Every year from late August to October, the region and its wineries offer a packed schedule of harvest-related activities: harvesting the ripe grapes, tasting the first must, the traditional trampling of the grapes, or the famous picnics at wineries. What could be better than enjoying a meal among the vineyards with the wine produced from their fruit? Remember to book early, as places tend to sell out quickly.
Another option is the Cava Grape Harvest Festival, held over a month from late August to late September in renowned wineries of the Penedès region. Each weekend, the wineries organise high-quality wine tourism activities, unforgettable experiences for small groups that give you the chance to delve into the world of cava at the most important time of year.
On 7 and 8 September, Sant Sadurní d’Anoia celebrates its Phylloxera Festival, commemorating how the town overcame the devastating plague that ravaged its vineyards in the late 19th century. If you’re visiting with kids, they’ll be delighted by the giant puppet of this harmful insect, which spews fire in all directions. It’s the true star of the festival!
In Alella, the Grape Harvest Festival is held during the first fortnight of September and includes a wine and gastronomy exhibition where wineries present their latest offerings and restaurants showcase their finest culinary creations. Much like a main festival, for 10 days the town and its wineries are filled with music, markets, fairs, tours and all sorts of activities and events centred around the wine of the Pansa Blanca variety. It’s a great opportunity to discover a little more about this charming corner of the Maresme region!
On the first weekend of October, Artés hosts the Bages Grape Harvest Festival. The town fills with people eager to enjoy street performances, taste artisanal products and attend the awards ceremony for the conservation of barraques (vineyard huts) and tines (dry-stone wine vats), extraordinary constructions that are among the most important elements of the region's architectural heritage. Meanwhile, throughout September, you can enjoy grape harvesting activities at various wineries in the region.
Cubelles dedicates its traditional Grape Harvest Festival to locals who throughout history have worked the land to provide high-quality products. This festival is a great occasion to celebrate the land and its produce in an idyllic setting, surrounded by sea and vineyards.
Sitges also celebrates its Grape Harvest Festival and Wine Exhibition in early October, with grape trampling competitions, a famous wine fountain and a showcase of gastronomy and wines along the Passeig de la Ribera (Seafront Promenade). It’s a lovely occasion to feel the sea breeze and sip on the favourite drink of Bacchus, the Roman god of wine, grape cultivation and festivities.
Many other towns also celebrate grape harvest festivals. Check them out in the Barcelona is much more What’s On Guide.