3 Barcelona Wineries to Visit by Nika Shevela

***3 Barcelona Wineries to Visit by Nika Shevela***

Meet Nika—a drinks educator passionate about all things liquid, from the finest wines to the trendiest kombuchas. In Barcelona, she’s the force behind two cool projects: Wine Alphabet and Lagom Somm, offering events, tastings, and consultancy for anyone keen to dive into the world of drinks.

Nika’s story begins in the Northern Caucasus, where she grew up in a Russian-Ukrainian family before moving to Barcelona as a teenager. Her first career was as a translator and interpreter, which led to a pivotal translation gig with the iconic Torres winery. One sip led to another, and she’s been exploring the fascinating world of wine ever since.

Now a certified sommelier, Nika holds the coveted WSET Diploma in Wines and is a Spanish Wine Scholar, official Cava Educator, Rioja Wines Educator, and Canary Wines ambassador. She teaches at top hospitality and wine schools, writes for exciting drinks brands, and helps businesses find their voice in the ever-evolving drinks scene.

Can Calopa / Secret escape in Collserola
Masía Can Calopa de Dalt
Crta. BV-1468 Km 4,8
08750 Parque de Collserola
Can Calopa Instagram

Did you know this city has its own vineyards? Most Barcelonians, while happily enjoying Catalan wine, are blissfully unaware that Collserola is also home to the city’s only semi-urban winery. Nika loves her occasional Sunday walks on stunning Carretera de les Aigües. It’s a perfect mix of nature and city life.

Head just 20 minutes from Eixample, and you’ll land at Can Calopa, a dreamy Masia-style farmhouse surrounded by vines. The area has a rich winemaking history, and in 2010, the team here began reviving the vineyards that once thrived in Collserola Park. It’s a piece of Barcelona you don’t want to miss.

There are a few great ways to experience what they’re all about. You can opt for a quick 1.5-hour tour of the vineyards and winery or go all in with a half-day visit (minimum 6 people only). Nika recommends the “Desayuna Collserola” experience. Starting at 10 am, it pairs a vineyard tour with a traditional Catalan breakfast—esmorzar de pagès. Think cheese and charcuterie, hearty botifarra with beans, and fresh salads.
Their wine range is short and sweet, with Barcelona-inspired labels and a focus on reds like Syrah, Garnacha, and Merlot. They also have a fun white blend of Xarel·lo and Chardonnay, made from grapes grown in Sabadell’s agropark.

Year-round, Can Calopa offers plenty of ways to level up your love for wine. In September, they hosted hands-on harvest days, and there are occasional takeover tastings by some of the best Catalan winemakers.

Logistics: a cab is the simplest choice, costing just over 20 euros. If you’re up for an adventure, download the Wikiloc app and take the FGC train to Vallvidrera Superior or Les Planes. From there, it’s a scenic 2-hour hike to the winery— a perfect way to work the appetite!

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Alta Alella / Mediterranean magic
Camí Baix de Tiana, s/n,
08328 Alella
Alta Alella Instagram

As someone who’s explored a fair share of Europe’s wineries, Nika still find Alta Alella’s stunning views—stretching from their outdoor tasting room to the glistering waves of the Mediterranean— tough to match. She routinely recommends this fabulous, family-run boutique winery to friends and family – and takes her Business of Wine students there for a pretty special wine visit.

Just 15km from Barcelona on the pretty Costa del Maresme, Alta Alella sits in the quaint Alella appellation. Though less famous than its Catalan counterparts like Penedès or Priorat, this region consistently produces exceptional wines, focusing on fresh, fruity Pansa Blanca (Xarel·lo) and balanced, smooth reds. The winery’s amphitheatre-shaped vineyards are a showstopper, as are a sleek indoor/outdoor tasting room. The guides are all incredibly engaging. Marc is hands down the best!

Alta Alella is one of the organic winemaking pioneers, crafting some of the most delicious still and sparkling stuff. Their premium Cavas rank among the best, and come in a pretty memorable elongated bottle too. They’re also pros at wine tourism, offering everything from vineyard jeep tours to yoga sessions paired with aperitivo, or classic cheese and Ibérico pairings.

Pro tip: Be sure to check out their Celler de les Aus range—natural wines with bird-inspired labels that are as intriguing as they are delicious. Logistics: if you don’t feel like driving, it’s a breeze with a direct bus from Barcelona to Alella, followed by a scenic 20-minute walk to the winery. While there, pop into Compañía de Alella, Bodega y Taberna, a rustic wine bar perfect for more tastings and traditional snacks.

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Vins Foresta / Sleep amongst the vines
Avinguda Principal, 18, 08734 L’Arboçar
Vins de Foresta Instagram

Just south of Barcelona, the stunning Massís del Garraf natural park is a treasure trove of adventures, from testing hiking trails, some of which lead to a Buddhist temple, to a handful of smaller wineries to explore. One standout is Vins de Foresta, where winemakers Gerard and Lluís craft organic wines from breeze-kissed vineyards surrounded by lush forests. They mostly work with local Penedès grapes like Xarel·lo and Macabeo for whites, and Sumoll and Garnacha for reds, but also experiment with less common Cabernet Franc and Marselan.

If you’re short on time, Vins de Foresta offers a three-hour ‘wine safari’ in a 4×4, taking you through the vineyards and forests of Garraf. It ends at their outdoor tasting room—a cool rustic table overlooking the landscape—where you’ll enjoy five wines paired with local cheeses and charcuterie. For English tours, there’s a minimum group size of six people, so gather some friends and make it a fun outing.

If you’re up for an overnight stay, their ‘Barraca entre Vinyes’ is such a fun option. These little stone huts, formerly used by winegrowers who would spend the night there in a busy season, are right in the vineyards and big enough for up to two people. They’ll bring you a breakfast basket in the morning, and you can also add dinner at one of the local restaurants nearby. I know what you’ll ask next: the huts aren’t heated in the cooler months, but they’re pretty cosy with thermal sheets and a double duvet— especially for the Mediterranean “cold. Plus, autumn and winter are quieter, and the area has a lovely lush, peaceful vibe.

Find Nika at:
winealphabet.com
Instagram Wine Alphabet

Lagom Som the experience platform for alcohol-free beverages founded by sommelier Nika Shevela, joins forces with Sense in an exciting collaboration.
shopsense.eu/en/products/lagom-light
Instagram Lagom Som 

More wine content on Foodie in Barcelona
Gaby’s Best Wine Bars in Barcelona  (2023)
5 Penedes Wine Experiences  (2022)
Jean Leon Wine Tour (2017)