While we count the days to uncork spring, the arrival of warm days invites us to plan our next getaway. What if we told you that you could travel 500 years in time to the place where cava was invented?
Surrounded by lives and full of history, the Codorníu winery in Sant Sadurní d’Anoia is not only one of the oldest in Spain, but also the origin of cava. An essential destination for lovers of this vibrant sparkling wine, but also for those of modernism and good gastronomy. A whole experience in the heart of l’Alt Penedès, which, thanks to Club Vanguardia, you can enjoy with a 30% discount on the visit.
Although it was not until 1872 when the first bottle of cava was made in Codorníu, and therefore in the world, there is evidence of winemaking activity in the Codorníu wineries since at least the year 1551. Nearly five centuries of history that are reflected clearly in the spaces that make up the visit to the wineries: from what is known as the cava cathedral, to the extensive gardens, to the modernist building designed by the architect Josep Puig i Cadafalch, or the descent to more than 20 meters deep to explore the underground caves where the cava ferments in the bottle protected from light.
The visit to Codorníu is unique for many reasons, among them, because it has unique guides that tell the story in a very personal way. An example is Esteve Pérez, who is responsible for visits in Codorníu, who has dedicated his life to cava, since he started working at the winery as a grape harvester 48 years ago, in his teens.
During the visit you will be able to learn anecdotes such as that the city of Buenos Aires was one of the first cities in the world where cava was exported, that the grapes come from vineyards located in different areas of Catalonia, not just Penedès, or that the most iconic cava in The brand, Anna de Codorníu, owes its name to the last representative of the Codorníu family in charge of the wineries. You will also discover that, at the beginning of the century, Manuel Raventós hired the illustrious modernist architect Puig i Cadafalch to expand his winery, and thanks to this, today Codorníu is considered a jewel of Catalan modernism and is a National Historic Monument due to its cultural interest.
This year 2023 will be important in the history of Codorníu for several reasons. The first, because this will be the year in which all the grapes used to make the cava will be of organic origin. Milestone that demonstrates Codorníu’s non-conformist character for continuing to be a reference inside and outside its sector. And although we will have to wait a few years to enjoy the cava made with this grape, what we should not wait too long for is the second novelty that 2023 brings with it.
We are referring to the first edition of the Codorníu Fest, the best plan to enjoy a whole world of sensations in the winery and in the Jardins Codorníu by Cal Blay restaurant. From April 6 to 9, festival-goers will enjoy a privileged environment of open-air concerts, clandestine tastings and a chill-out area accompanied by music. For the first time, attendees will be able to enjoy the new Codorníu Escape Game. Different proposals to which are added children’s activities and musical sessions that will take place in the Jardins de Codorníu restaurant, which for the occasion will feature the Gastronomic Market by Cal Blay.
Now, all that remains is to set a date to explore the history of cava by visiting the Codorníu winery. One of the perfect plans for this spring that, thanks to the celebration of the Codorníu Fest, has become a must. Above all, when you have at your disposal a 30% discount on the Discovery or Iconic visit with your Club Vanguardia card. You just have to download your promotional code to take advantage of the discount and enjoy one of the oldest wineries in Spain. Do we drink to it?
