Costa Barcelona: Bring the kids to the vineyard!

The view from the open air tasting room at Alta Alella - the closet vineyard to Barcelona. The winery has all kinds of programmes for kids and adults - so families can learn about viticulture together.
The view from the open air tasting room at Alta Alella – the closet vineyard to Barcelona. The winery has all kinds of programmes for kids and adults – so families can learn about viticulture together.

 

“I’m Chardonnay and I’m from France!” I yell out, doing a half turn and then a majestic bow. My fellow bloggers do the same.

We’re on a press trip organized by Costa Barcelona, and our first stop is the Alta Alella winery. It’s the closest vineyard to Barcelona, located 2 km from the Mediterranean Sea between the small towns of Alella and Tiana. Alta Alella’s organic wines are in the menus of some of the best restaurants of the world and we’re having fun tasting them all – and then participating in a workshop that is aimed at getting kids interested and active and having fun learning about viticulture.

 

tktktkt
We sat in a circle and threw a cork to each other, having to name the “grape” we were throwing to (thankfully we had name tags).

 

My transformation into a grape happened very quickly. I merely followed the instruction of our group leader, who has us all pick a card which had the name of a grape on it and then close our eyes. When we opened them magically we were grapes! As you can guess, I picked Chardonnay, but my colleagues were Syrah, Sauvignon Blanc, and local grapes Pansa Blanca, Pansa Rosada, Paraellada. They are all key to making Alta Alella wines.

We sat crossed-legged in a circle and threw a cork to each other, having to name the “grape” we were throwing to (thankfully we had name tags). Next we all stood up and introduced ourselves as our “grape”, embellishing with a funny move, which everyone had to copy. I could imagine my girls having a ball with this.

The ice sufficiently broken, we embarked on a tour of the vineyard. We were divided into teams and roamed the vineyard as grapes. Of course I was in the Chardonnay group, and we stuck close together and moved fast! Our Pansa Blanca opponents took a bit longer to finish their journey. This was mirroring grape’s natural growing patterns, and it was a was clever way to educate us.

 

Kids get to try organic grape juice - while adults try their fermented cousins!
While at Alta Alella, kids get to try white and purple organic grape juice.

 

While the kids are occupied with educational games, the adults get to try Alta Allele's fine wines.
While the kids are occupied with grape juice and educational games, the adults get to try Alta Allele’s fine wines! They are known for their sparkling Cava, but also make still wines too. (I bought one to bring back to my husband!)

 

I’ve been to lots of vineyards with kids programmes and this is one of the most innovative, especially when it comes to learning about viticulture in a way kids can understand. 

If you are in the area book the kids workshop (you need to book in groups). I promise you won’t be disappointed.

 

Our workshop leader shows us the difference between the Chardonnay and Pansa Blanca grapes.
Our workshop leader shows us the difference between the Chardonnay and Pansa Blanca grapes.

 

Kids get to roam amongst the vines, pretending their are grapes. They learn that chardonnay grapes stick tighlty together and grow quickly.
Kids get to roam amongst the vines, pretending they are grapes. They learn that chardonnay grapes stick tightly together and grow quickly.

 


 

alta-alella-barrels
Alella has had a long tradition of winemaking, going back as far as 3rd century BC. Alella wines were in demand and in the Middle Ages became the official purveyors of wine to the Crown of Aragon.

 

No, this is isn't wine! It's the first press of the local Pansa Blanca grape and it crisp and sweet.
No, this is isn’t wine! It’s the first press of the local Pansa Blanca grape and it crisp and sweet. Soon it will go off to be transformed into wine.

 

At Alta Alella you can also organise cooking workshops for kids. Here we are making chocolate truffles!
At Alta Alella you can also organise cooking workshops for kids. Here we are making chocolate truffles!

 

IF YOU GO:

Alta Alella Camí Baix de Tiana, s/n, 08328 Alella, Barcelona, Spain +34 93 469 37 20 altaalella.wine info@altaalella.cat enoturisme@altaalella.cat

 

Pin it for later!
Pin it for later!

16 COMMENTS

  1. 13 things to do on the Costa Barcelona with kids - mummytravels | 11th Jun 18

    […] out the posts from One Tiny Leap and A Modern Mother about our […]

  2. Agness of Fit Travelling | 24th Mar 17

    Costa Barcelona never ceases to surprise, Susanna!

  3. Jason Cruickshank | 30th Dec 16

    One whole day in the vineyard with family and friends, well memorable and of course indeed.

  4. The textures of Costa Barcelona - Jenography | 24th Nov 16

    […] Bring the kids to the vineyard! by Susanna at A Modern Mother […]

  5. Jennifer Howze | 14th Oct 16

    Great write-up! You’ve really captured how fun and engaging they make the winery for kids. Of course, it’s also great for adults (cough). x

  6. Alta Alella Vineyard | Explore Costa Barcelona with Kids - | 12th Oct 16

    […] reasons for families to visit Costa Barcelona & Costa Barcelona: Bring the kids to the vineyard! (A Modern Mother) | Costa Barcelona Destination Guide (Travel Loving Family | 13 Things to do in […]

  7. Jen Walshaw | 3rd Oct 16

    I am not a drinker, but my husband loves wine and he would really enjoy a day like this. We had tours when we visited South Africa and they were fascinating.

  8. Ness | 3rd Oct 16

    My husband used to go to vineyards with his parents when he was a teenager. I wouldn’t have thought have to take them to one on this scale but I think they would like to be grapes!

  9. Cass Bailey | 3rd Oct 16

    I think you might have just described my perfect day – to be fair you had me convinced with the wine but then to see chocolate truffles too!

  10. Maria belfort | 2nd Oct 16

    Love this post! It was a perfect way to start our trip, I loved how much there was to do there, and how engaging the games and educational the tour was. I can’t wait to take my kid there for a bit of grape-fun!

  11. Nikki Thomas | 2nd Oct 16

    I have been to lots of vineyards in France as an adult but would have never thought about taking children but this is a wonderful idea and sounds really educational. Gorgeous photos and it looked like a really interesting trip.

  12. Nikki Thomas | 2nd Oct 16

    I have visited a few vineyards in France as an adult and would never have thought about taking chidlren but this is such a lovely idea. Great photos and it sounds like a brilliant trip

  13. angela hamilton | 2nd Oct 16

    This looks like a brilliant experience. Vineyards have always interested me and would love to visit one.

  14. Cathy (Mummytravels) | 2nd Oct 16

    That was such a fun start to the trip- gorgeous photos and such a clever way of educating through the activities. Wonderful wines in such a beautiful setting.

  15. Lisa | 2nd Oct 16

    This post captures the fun we had at Alta Alella perfectly Susanna! I wish I had brought back a few bottles of wine with me now too. I have never considered taking my boys to a vineyard before, my husband and I tend to forget about our interests and instead visit places such as theme parks, beaches to entertain our young sons. I do however think they would have thoroughly enjoyed the games and activities here, particularly the chocolate truffle workshop!

  16. Erica Price | 2nd Oct 16

    I am always fascinated with vineyards and wineries. We have visited quite a few either on our own or with the family and they are always really interesting. Lovely pictures.

Leave A Comment

I love comments! Tell me what you think or just say hello.

© 2022 Amodernmother.com. All rights reverved