Full – waiting list only. Wine Tourism Workshop (3-5 Feb ) has places available. Click here for info
6th Wine Pleasures FAM Trip & Workshop
Grape Escape: Catalunya
3 – 7 February 2010.
Whether your clients are wine beginners or true connoisseurs, there are few specialist organisers catering for those who long to immerse themselves in Spain’s wine producing regions.
Wine Pleasures is a specialist wine tasting company which can cater for your client’s every need.
Wine Pleasures will open winery doors that are normally closed to the public, introduce clients to the winery owners and/or winemaker and generally ensure they see, smell and taste what they want. And if they are not sure what that is, we will advise tours for the absolute beginner to the crustiest Gran Reserva collector.
Wine Pleasures caters for organised groups who require tailor-made activities.
Program
Day 1 Wednesday 3 February.
15.15 Meeting Point Terminal A Barcelona International Airport
15.30 Transfer to Barceló Montserrat Hotel, La Beguda Baixa
16.00 Hotel check in & Free
17.15 Wine Pleasures welcome and programme presentation
17.30 Seminar: Wine Destinations: Portugal & Spain
19.15 Networking Wine Tasting
20.30 Dinner and wine matching. Accommodation Barcelo Montserrat Hotel
Day 2 Thursday 4 February – Wine Pleasures Wine Tourism Workshop
The Wine Pleasures Wine Tourism Workshop brings together European wine experience providers and carefully screened, high-quality tour operators and travel agents at a unique event devoted to achieving results and growing international wine tourism in Europe.
Tour Operators and Travel Agents will use the Wine Pleausres Workshop to easily source new European wine experience programmes and providers for their portfolios, and to strengthen established business relationships – at one event in one location. They will appreciate how Wine Pleasures Workshops cut down the amount of time and travel required to manage their business relationships.
Wine Pleasures Workshops are renowned for their organisation and sophistication – and most importantly, for the quality of provider / agent relationships they facilitate.
09.20 – 09.35 Business appointment 1
09.40 – 09.55 Business appointment 2
10.00 – 10.15 Business appointment 3
10.20 – 10.35 Business appointment 4
10.40 – 10.55 Business appointment 5
11.00 – 11.15 Business appointment 6
11.20 – 11.55 Refreshment break
12.00 – 12.15 Business appointment 7
12.20 – 12.35 Business appointment 8
12.40 – 12.55 Business appointment 9
13.00 – 13.15 Business appointment 10
13.20 – 13.35 Business appointment 11
13.40 – 14.55 Business appointment 12
14.00 – 15.55 Lunch
16.00 – 16.15 Business appointment 13
16.20 – 16.35 Business appointment 14
16.40 – 16.55 Business appointment 15
17.00 – 17.15 Business appointment 16
17.30 – Transfer to Mas Passamaner Hotel Monument Spa- Restaurant
19.00 – Hotel Mas Passamaner Check in
20.30 – Dinner and wine matching in the Hotel Mas Passamaner
Accommodation Hotel Mas Passamaner
Day 3 – Friday 5 February - Tarragona, Priorat & Montsant wine region
Today we will visit the Priorat region – an unusual combination of topography, soil and climate, a unique “terroir” and a one thousand year old wine making tradition initiated by the monks of the Saint Maria Carthusian Monastery (XII century) which during seven centuries gave fame and prestige to the Priorat wine. Our first winery visit will take us out to see breathtaking views of steep, slatey terraces home to over eighty year old Garnacha and Cariñena vines. We will quickly appreciate why everything is done by hand! We will also appreciate the different terroirs to be found in the Montsant and Priorat regions. This particular winery is interesting as it has estates in both Appellations so in the tasting we also evaluate any contrasts in the wines.
Lunch in Falset.
Internationally, the Priorat wines, Clos de l’Obac and Miserere, along with Dolç de l’Obac and Kyrie, from the Costers del Siurana cellars, are considered to be amongst the best reserve wines in the world.
Two decades ago, with the foundation of this cellar and the creation of these wines, Carles Pastrana and Mariona Jarque committed themselves to a renaissance of the D.O. Priorat in a land with more than a thousand years of wine making tradition, where the order of Saint Bruno founded in 1149 the first carthusian monastery of the Iberic Peninsula which was the cultural, social and economic center of the region during seven centuries.
Today, no one can look at the world panorama of great reserve wines and fail to be impressed by the wines elaborated by Costers del Siurana. Wines that are produced with home grown grapes, on vines that are not watered, where no insecticides or synthetic products are used, and where every year the wine is made from its own estate with the same blend of varieties and percentages.
All in all, this makes possible a vintage wine made in the traditional method with old vines. This gives these wines the necessary body that retains a unique part of the history of every year, history that will gradually age during decades for the pleasure and enjoyment of wine lovers.
Day 4 – Saturday 6 February - Costers del Segre/Conca de Barbarà wine region – wine country bike excursion
Cycle along the picturesque River Corb valley to the village of Belianes Here we will stop and visit the village Cooperative and Olive Oil Museum and learn about the traditional method of making olive oil from the alberquina variety. Olive oil will then be drizzled on some local bread. After it’s a short cycle ride to pick up the Cistercian Monastery Trail which begins in Vallbona de les Monges in the Urgell province of Catalonia home to the nunnery of Santa Maria de Vallbona founded in 1153. Upon arrival we will visit a small agricultural co-operative, L’Olivera whose wine production comes from its 12 hectares of vineyards where the Macabeu, Parellada and Chardonnay grape varieties are grown. The winery is located in a former barn and is equipped with all the modern technology necessary to obtain fine quality white wines. Wine tasting in the winery. Piicnic lunch at the winery.
The Appellation of Conca de Barberà draws its name from the historic small village of Barberà de Conca at the confluence of the Francolí and Anguera Rivers. Conca means a basin or hollow. Conca de Barberà is also known for its hazelnuts, almonds and cereal fields.
Transfer to the Conca de Barberà wine region and time to discover Mediaeval Montblanc’s streets and squares, visit churches and palaces and discover the history and legends that this walled town keeps. At the end of the visit we will stop by the Cooperative and learn how to drink from a Porrón!
Afternoon visit of the Mas Forester winery
Day 5 Sunday 7 February – Penedès wine region
Transfer to Vilafranca and winery visit – emphasis on the making of sparkling wine (cava)
Some 95% of Spain’s answer to Champagne is produced in Catalunya under the Appellation of Cava. The industry is dominated by the two mass producers Freixenet and Codorniu whose acrimonious rivalry has at times acted as a brake on Cava’s progress rather than a spur to greater quality. Today we will visit a family business that conserves an artisan methodology in the elaboration of its cava products. Elaborating wines with an artisan perspective means disregarding modern methodology, and thus means using the traditional methods; it also signifies having meticulous care when selecting the first must, or the run-off, in each single press.
14.00 Transfer to Barcelona airport & end of Fam Trip.
Fam Trip For Agents
Full – waiting list only. Wine Tourism Workshop (3-5 Feb ) has places available. Click here for info
6th Wine Pleasures FAM Trip & Workshop
Grape Escape: Catalunya
3 – 7 February 2010.
Whether your clients are wine beginners or true connoisseurs, there are few specialist organisers catering for those who long to immerse themselves in Spain’s wine producing regions.
Wine Pleasures will open winery doors that are normally closed to the public, introduce clients to the winery owners and/or winemaker and generally ensure they see, smell and taste what they want. And if they are not sure what that is, we will advise tours for the absolute beginner to the crustiest Gran Reserva collector.
Wine Pleasures caters for organised groups who require tailor-made activities.
Program
Day 1 Wednesday 3 February.
15.15 Meeting Point Terminal A Barcelona International Airport
15.30 Transfer to Barceló Montserrat Hotel, La Beguda Baixa
16.00 Hotel check in & Free
17.15 Wine Pleasures welcome and programme presentation
17.30 Seminar: Wine Destinations: Portugal & Spain
19.15 Networking Wine Tasting
20.30 Dinner and wine matching. Accommodation Barcelo Montserrat Hotel
Day 2 Thursday 4 February – Wine Pleasures Wine Tourism Workshop
Tour Operators and Travel Agents will use the Wine Pleausres Workshop to easily source new European wine experience programmes and providers for their portfolios, and to strengthen established business relationships – at one event in one location. They will appreciate how Wine Pleasures Workshops cut down the amount of time and travel required to manage their business relationships.
Wine Pleasures Workshops are renowned for their organisation and sophistication – and most importantly, for the quality of provider / agent relationships they facilitate.
09.20 – 09.35 Business appointment 1
09.40 – 09.55 Business appointment 2
10.00 – 10.15 Business appointment 3
10.20 – 10.35 Business appointment 4
10.40 – 10.55 Business appointment 5
11.00 – 11.15 Business appointment 6
11.20 – 11.55 Refreshment break
12.00 – 12.15 Business appointment 7
12.20 – 12.35 Business appointment 8
12.40 – 12.55 Business appointment 9
13.00 – 13.15 Business appointment 10
13.20 – 13.35 Business appointment 11
13.40 – 14.55 Business appointment 12
14.00 – 15.55 Lunch
16.00 – 16.15 Business appointment 13
16.20 – 16.35 Business appointment 14
16.40 – 16.55 Business appointment 15
17.00 – 17.15 Business appointment 16
17.30 – Transfer to Mas Passamaner Hotel Monument Spa- Restaurant
19.00 – Hotel Mas Passamaner Check in
20.30 – Dinner and wine matching in the Hotel Mas Passamaner
Accommodation Hotel Mas Passamaner
Day 3 – Friday 5 February - Tarragona, Priorat & Montsant wine region
Today we will visit the Priorat region – an unusual combination of topography, soil and climate, a unique “terroir” and a one thousand year old wine making tradition initiated by the monks of the Saint Maria Carthusian Monastery (XII century) which during seven centuries gave fame and prestige to the Priorat wine. Our first winery visit will take us out to see breathtaking views of steep, slatey terraces home to over eighty year old Garnacha and Cariñena vines. We will quickly appreciate why everything is done by hand! We will also appreciate the different terroirs to be found in the Montsant and Priorat regions. This particular winery is interesting as it has estates in both Appellations so in the tasting we also evaluate any contrasts in the wines.
Lunch in Falset.
Internationally, the Priorat wines, Clos de l’Obac and Miserere, along with Dolç de l’Obac and Kyrie, from the Costers del Siurana cellars, are considered to be amongst the best reserve wines in the world.
Two decades ago, with the foundation of this cellar and the creation of these wines, Carles Pastrana and Mariona Jarque committed themselves to a renaissance of the D.O. Priorat in a land with more than a thousand years of wine making tradition, where the order of Saint Bruno founded in 1149 the first carthusian monastery of the Iberic Peninsula which was the cultural, social and economic center of the region during seven centuries.
Today, no one can look at the world panorama of great reserve wines and fail to be impressed by the wines elaborated by Costers del Siurana. Wines that are produced with home grown grapes, on vines that are not watered, where no insecticides or synthetic products are used, and where every year the wine is made from its own estate with the same blend of varieties and percentages.
All in all, this makes possible a vintage wine made in the traditional method with old vines. This gives these wines the necessary body that retains a unique part of the history of every year, history that will gradually age during decades for the pleasure and enjoyment of wine lovers.
Day 4 – Saturday 6 February - Costers del Segre/Conca de Barbarà wine region – wine country bike excursion
The Appellation of Conca de Barberà draws its name from the historic small village of Barberà de Conca at the confluence of the Francolí and Anguera Rivers. Conca means a basin or hollow. Conca de Barberà is also known for its hazelnuts, almonds and cereal fields.
Transfer to the Conca de Barberà wine region and time to discover Mediaeval Montblanc’s streets and squares, visit churches and palaces and discover the history and legends that this walled town keeps. At the end of the visit we will stop by the Cooperative and learn how to drink from a Porrón!
Afternoon visit of the Mas Forester winery
Day 5 Sunday 7 February – Penedès wine region
Transfer to Vilafranca and winery visit – emphasis on the making of sparkling wine (cava)
14.00 Transfer to Barcelona airport & end of Fam Trip.