The DO Empordà was born in one of Catalonia’s most fascinating landscapes, where vineyards live alongside the sea, the Mediterranean light and the force of the tramuntana wind. In this territory full of character, wine also expresses itself with a personality of its own: lively, authentic and deeply connected to the place where it is born. DO Empordà: a landscape of vineyards, sea and tramuntana The wine-growing tradition of Empordà dates back to the Greeks, who founded Empúries and introduced vine cultivation to this territory. For centuries, its wines travelled around the Mediterranean and were appreciated in major trading centres of the ancient world. Vines have been part of this landscape for more than two thousand years, and even today they continue to define many of its corners. To wander through Empordà is to come across vines, villages with farming traditions and wineries that have managed to preserve the link between memory and innovation. Wines of the DO Empordà The wines of the DO Empordà stand out for their diversity. Whites, rosés, reds and sweet wines coexist here, all sharing the same thread: Mediterranean character, authenticity and a strong connection with the landscape. The rosés are usually fruity and appealing; the whites, fresh and flavoursome; and the reds, balanced and expressive. Garnatxa de l’Empordà also has a special place: a traditional sweet wine that forms part of the area’s wine heritage. The designation is also going through a period of consolidation. In recent years, it has exceeded 6 million bottles sold and continues to strengthen its projection thanks to an increasingly varied offer and a clear commitment to quality. Native varieties and flavours with identity If one word defines the DO Empordà, it is identity. Empordà is a land of carinyena and garnatxa, the great protagonists of the Empordà vineyard. Today, two out of every three vines in the designation correspond to native varieties, which explains much of its uniqueness. Alongside these varieties, there is also room for macabeu, muscat, xarel·lo and international varieties that have adapted well to the territory. This combination makes it possible to produce wines with very different nuances, yet always recognisable. They are wines that speak of a specific setting, a particular light and a way of working that looks to the future without losing its roots. Wineries with history and personality The designation currently includes 51 wineries, ranging from large to small projects, historic and family-run, each with its own way of interpreting the territory. Perelada, for example, revives a wine-growing tradition linked to the castle since the 14th century and today offers a well-established wine tourism proposal. In Capmany, Oliveda is one of the historic names of the designation. It is a family winery founded in 1948 that combines winemaking, visits and a museum. In Cantallops, Vinyes dels Aspres offers a smaller, more artisanal approach, focused on distinctive wines made mainly with native varieties and grapes from its own vineyards. And in Baix Empordà, Mas Oller brings together the charm of a small winery with modern winemaking in a carefully tended rural setting. Discovering Empordà wine: fairs, visits and tastings Empordà wine is also experienced in the streets and throughout the year. The DO Empordà promotes and brings together major events such as the Mostra del Vi de l’Empordà, Arrels del Vi in Sant Martí d’Empúries, the Vivid festival, Tocs de Vi and the Festa de la Verema, which offer the chance to taste wines, discover wineries and get closer to wine culture in an open and festive atmosphere.