Melia Sitges

An exciting journey into the origins of cava with an exclusive guide: Codorníu is synonymous to the history of a family of winegrowers which dates back to the XVI century. It is the oldest family company in Spain and one of the oldest in the world, with more than 450 years of history to the date. Manuel Ravetós, Condorníu’s driving force, hired in 1895 the Modernist architect Josep Puig i Cadafalch (Gaudi’s coeval) to enlarge the winery. The building built represents the fruitful alliance between nature and human labour, but at the same time it also constitutes a stone tribute to the silence of cava. Declared National Historical-Artistic Heritage in 1976 it’s also one of the most incredible examples of the architecture dedicated to the elaboration and aging of cavas. For over a century, Codorníu has always done its second fermentation and aging in an underground cellars labyrinth at just the right temperature. In 1872, Josep Raventós Fatjó made cava for the first time in Spain following the “Méthode Traditionelle” and using autochthonous grapes varietals of the Penedés: Macabeo, Xarel·lo and Parellada. Establishing this way a completely new industry in the region and linking the Codorníu brand to the cavas history. The visit is with an exclusive guide and features: •A welcoming in Sala Puig “the Cathedral of Cava”. •Audiovisual. •Art Nouveau Tour: ◦Josep Puig i Cadafalch’s architectural Work was declared a Historical-Artistic Monument in 1976. ◦History and Heritage of the Codorníu family. ◦The Codorníu winery gardens. •“Celler Gran” Museum and winery: ◦Exhibit of traditional grape presses and fermentation machinery. ◦Interactive scale model of the winery. ◦The Table of Aromas. •First Codorníu Cava. •Descent into the underground cellars: ◦Exhibit of traditional cava making machinery. ◦A tour train around the cavas. •Our products’ presence throughout history. •Tasting of two cavas from Codorníu’s premium range (restricted to visitors over the age of 18).