This week’s #ExperienceOfTheWeek series is devoted to all wine lovers and connoisseurs who love to explore new tastes while traveling. A few weeks ago, we had a chance to talk to Bernadette, the owner of Bodega Miquel Jané, a 4th generation winery located in the beautiful region of Alt Penedes near Barcelona. We talked about their history, local gastronomy, and most importantly their famous wine tours they offer to travelers coming to their region. So sit back, pour yourself some wine, and get to reading!
Q1: Hi Bernadette, how are you doing? How is life in Spain these days?
We are living strange days, Feeling of insecurity, of uncertainty in our lives threatened by a virus that we do not control well. This creates a lot of citizen insecurity and an economic crisis due to the closure of borders and shops. Tourism in Spain is very significant and the lack of tourists leaves Spain in a very difficult situation. We hope that it can be solved in the coming months.
Q2: Tell us more about Bodega Miquel Jané. How did it all start? Where does the name come from?
The Miquel Jané winery is the result of the effort of 4 generations making wine in the Alt Penedes area (Barcelona). It’s not only the way we elaborate wine, is more related where your vines grow that does that all make sense: Territory and family always have run together.
The beginning of our history starts at the end of the 19th century, cousins Antonio Jane Formosa and Josefa Pascual Formosa started this venture buying properties in High Penedes and produce and commercialize its own wine.
At first, they were bulk wines, produced at the family estate and exported to then Spanish Cuba by another branch of the family, that happened to own the frigates necessary for the transportation. We can even see a painting in the Naval Museum in Barcelona that depicts the family-owned frigate named “Remedios Pascual Formosa”, truly historical testimony to this maritime commercial venture.
Miquel Jane is the surname of my father (3rd generation), he was the first to bottled the wines using our own brand instead of selling them in bulk.
Q3: That’s an incredible story! So, apart from a curated selection of wines in your winery, you also offer wine tours. How does a typical wine tasting look like?
Every weekend we offer our visitors a tour of our vineyards and winery. At the end, our guides take a tasting course where they are taught the basic notions to make a good-tasting and get to know more about our wines. We usually taste 4-5 wines ( white, rose, red and sparkling)
Q4: Your selection of wine tours is endless. You combine wine tastings with bike tours, sightseeing walks, or even safari. What are the most popular options among travelers who come to you?
The most chosen option is the complete course of viticulture, enology, and tasting. In addition, at the end of the activity customers usually stay to eat in our restaurant. Regarding adventure: a bike tour (conventional or electric bikes) trough vineyards is the most popular among people who want to add extra activities. We have a partnership with a rural hotel and spa for those who want to spend more time exploring Penedes region.
Q5: Today many people travel and plan their itineraries on their own. Why would you recommend booking one of your experiences to our travelers?
Booking with us means having a one-time day guaranteed. Our activities are not only educational but also playful. In addition, the environment in which we are is idyllic and helps us to disconnect from the routine and enjoy the world of wine.
Q6: Travel industry is in uncharted waters right now but we all hope travel will rebound soon. What does the situation in your region look like right now? Are you expecting tourists to come back soon?
For us, being able to explain the culture of wine, our territory, and wines to our visitors in the first person is a great satisfaction. During the pandemic, we have not been able to do it, but since the beginning of July, we have undertaken visits that are currently national. A foreign public has not yet arrived.
Q7: Last but not least, what is your favorite spot in your region that you’d take your friends to see or experience? Tips from a true local are always worth it 🙂
The experience of discovering the wines of our territory makes sense if they are tasted together with the local gastronomy. Therefore, the complete experience of our visitors to taste in our restaurant the typical dishes (grilled lamb, calçotada,) and local products (butifarra, white beans) while drinking the wines we elaborate is the most enriching experience for visitors.
The high Penedes has centuries of history: differentiated culture, territory, and climate. Is what we explain and transmit to those who visit us. Discovering it as an adventure: exploring the vineyards by bike, segways … it’s so much fun and different.
Book some of the most popular tours by Bodega Miquel Jané here:
Visit to winery with wine tasting and grilled menu
Safari Tour in 4X4 by the Penedes and Visit to Winery with Wine Tasting
Historical Tour in Sitges + Visit to Winery with Tasting Wines and Lunch
Viticulture and Wine-Tasting 3-Hour Trip from Barcelona