Penedès wine country
The Penedès is cava's homeland and sits just southwest of the city: big historic cellars and small family vineyards, most reachable by commuter train with a short taxi or walk.
The big cellars
Sant Sadurní d'Anoia concentrates the great cava houses, several with architecturally famous buildings and full tours ending in the tasting. Book the English tour ahead for weekends.
The small vineyards
A layer of family wineries offers farmhouse tastings and vineyard lunches at a human pace — often the better story. Many only open by reservation: this is the one detail to nail in advance.
Getting there
Trains from Sants and Plaça Espanya reach Sant Sadurní and Vilafranca in under an hour. Taxis wait at the stations on tasting days; cycling between cellars is a popular half-day for the fit.