Less than an hour from Barcelona, Cava Guilera offers an authentic experience among vineyards: long-aged cava, peaceful landscapes, and a family that welcomes you as one of their own.
A corner among vineyards, close to everything
In the small village of Lavern, within the municipality of Subirats, lies Cava Guilera, a family-run winery that has been crafting cava for nearly a century in the heart of the Penedès wine region.
The surroundings are pure Mediterranean calm: rolling hills, quiet country lanes, and vineyards that change color with every season. Yet, the city is close. From Lavern-Subirats train station (line R4), you can reach Barcelona in about 50 minutes.
For motorhome travelers, this connection is a real treat: you can park and stay overnight among the vines, enjoy the peace of the countryside, and, if you wish, take the train to spend a day in the city. In the evening, return to your van and fall asleep under the stars, with only the silence of Penedès around you.
The surroundings are pure Mediterranean calm: rolling hills, quiet country lanes, and vineyards that change color with every season. Yet, the city is close. From Lavern-Subirats train station (line R4), you can reach Barcelona in about 50 minutes.
For motorhome travelers, this connection is a real treat: you can park and stay overnight among the vines, enjoy the peace of the countryside, and, if you wish, take the train to spend a day in the city. In the evening, return to your van and fall asleep under the stars, with only the silence of Penedès around you.
What is cava, and how does it differ from champagne?
Cava is Spain’s signature sparkling wine, made using the traditional method (the same used for French champagne), where the second fermentation takes place inside the bottle.
The difference lies not in the method, but in the origin and grapes. Champagne comes exclusively from the French region of the same name and uses varieties like Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Cava, on the other hand, is produced mainly in Penedès, using local Mediterranean grapes such as Xarel·lo, Macabeo, and Parellada, which lend it a fresher, fruitier, and sunnier character.
In short, cava has a Catalan soul — lively, balanced, and a true reflection of its landscape.
The difference lies not in the method, but in the origin and grapes. Champagne comes exclusively from the French region of the same name and uses varieties like Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Cava, on the other hand, is produced mainly in Penedès, using local Mediterranean grapes such as Xarel·lo, Macabeo, and Parellada, which lend it a fresher, fruitier, and sunnier character.
In short, cava has a Catalan soul — lively, balanced, and a true reflection of its landscape.
A family with history
Cava Guilera was founded in 1927, when Isidre Guilera and his wife began producing cava at Masía Ca l’Artigas. Nearly a hundred years later, the winery remains in family hands. Pere Guilera continues to lead the project alongside his children, Marta and Jordi, who have preserved the artisanal essence of their ancestors.
From the moment you arrive, the family makes you feel at home. There are no scripts or formalities — just conversation, laughter, and a genuine desire to share what they do. It’s the kind of hospitality that can’t be taught; it’s passed down through generations.
From the moment you arrive, the family makes you feel at home. There are no scripts or formalities — just conversation, laughter, and a genuine desire to share what they do. It’s the kind of hospitality that can’t be taught; it’s passed down through generations.
The art of time: long-aged cavas
At Cava Guilera, time isn’t rushed — it’s part of the process.
Here, they produce only long-aged cavas, which rest in silence underground for between 18 months and 18 years. This commitment to patience makes them a rarity in Penedès and a benchmark for those who appreciate wines with depth and elegance.
Production is small, around 30.000 bottles per year, allowing the team to care for every detail. The result: fine bubbles, complex aromas, and a silky texture that speaks of time well spent.
The key grape varieties are the classic trio — Xarel·lo, Macabeo, and Parellada — along with small batches of Garnacha and Pinot Noir for their rosé cavas. The vineyards are organic and cultivated sustainably: sheep graze among the vines, biodiversity is protected, and irrigation is avoided.
Here, they produce only long-aged cavas, which rest in silence underground for between 18 months and 18 years. This commitment to patience makes them a rarity in Penedès and a benchmark for those who appreciate wines with depth and elegance.
Production is small, around 30.000 bottles per year, allowing the team to care for every detail. The result: fine bubbles, complex aromas, and a silky texture that speaks of time well spent.
The key grape varieties are the classic trio — Xarel·lo, Macabeo, and Parellada — along with small batches of Garnacha and Pinot Noir for their rosé cavas. The vineyards are organic and cultivated sustainably: sheep graze among the vines, biodiversity is protected, and irrigation is avoided.
An experience among vineyards
Visiting Cava Guilera is much more than tasting cava. It’s about pausing, walking through the vineyards, breathing the landscape, and savoring the simplicity of the moment. The winery offers guided tastings, an open-air wine bar, gourmet picnics, and cultural events among the vines — concerts, workshops, and seasonal gatherings.
The atmosphere is relaxed and genuine, free of pretension. The hosts share their story with warmth and honesty, and, glass in hand, visitors often find that rare feeling of being exactly where they’re meant to be.
The atmosphere is relaxed and genuine, free of pretension. The hosts share their story with warmth and honesty, and, glass in hand, visitors often find that rare feeling of being exactly where they’re meant to be.
Why it’s worth visiting
Cava Guilera doesn’t try to impress — it aims to move you.
- Because it’s less than an hour from Barcelona, yet surrounded by vines and silence.
- Because it’s a family winery, full of heart and authenticity.
- Because they make only long-aged cavas — something truly exceptional.
- Because it’s the perfect slow-travel escape, ideal for resting and reconnecting.
- And because if you travel by motorhome, it’s an ideal stopover: a peaceful base to explore Penedès or hop on the train for a city adventure.
Cava Guilera doesn’t try to impress — it aims to move you.
It’s the reflection of a family living among vines and a wine that matures at its own pace.
A small oasis near Barcelona where you can raise a glass to life, slowly and sincerely.
BtW: don’t forget to buy a few bottles of their amazing cava to thank Pere and Marta — and be sure to leave a note in their guestbook before you go.
Enjoy it exclusively with the España Discovery guide.
A small oasis near Barcelona where you can raise a glass to life, slowly and sincerely.
BtW: don’t forget to buy a few bottles of their amazing cava to thank Pere and Marta — and be sure to leave a note in their guestbook before you go.
Enjoy it exclusively with the España Discovery guide.