"Festa de la Verema" in Alella, the annual wine festival

The Harvest Festival of Alella (La Festa de la Verema d'Alella) is a wonderful example of how local festivals are tied to a wine tradition that is deeply rooted. Alella is one of the smallest DOs in Spain, but that doesn't mean that the harvest celebration will be any less exciting. In fact, it's quite the opposite. The festival is one of the most anticipated by the people who live in Alella and the surrounding towns.  Even better, because it is so close to Barcelona a lot of pepole will take the thirty minute drive out to enjoy the wine, good food, the fiesta atmosphere and the great weather that can be expected this time of the year.

This is the 37th Harvest Festival and it will take place from September 9-11. Three intense days! And during  the month of November there is the follow up celebration of gastronomy based on the wines of Alella, but more on that later.

Here's a brief summary of some of the activities that you can do during the Harvest Festival:

Friday September 9 :
18:00 - 23:00: Craft fair
19:00: Official opening of the festival
20:00 - 23:00: Gastronomy fair. Tastings of the wines and cavas of the region and local food specialities
23:00: Correfoc with the diables del Vi d'Alella
24:00 till ... : Open ball with orchestra

Saturday September 10:
09:00 - 23:00: Craft fair
09:15: Visit to Parxet winery
09:30: Visit to Joaquim Batlle winery
10:30: Visit to Bouquet d'Alella winery
12:30 - 14:00: Tapas and Wine.
18:00: Presentation of the Wines of Alella
20:00 - 23:00: Gastronomy fair. Tastings of the wines and cavas of the region and local food specialities
23:30 till ... : Open ball with orchestra

Diumenge 11 de setembre:
09:00 - 23:00: Craft fair
09:00: II Harvest Run
09:00: Botifarrada popular
09:00: Walking Tour "Ruta Paisatgística per les vinyes de la Vall de Rials"
09:00: Visit to Altrabanda and Can Roda wineries
09:15: Visit to Alta Alella or Parxet winery
10:00: Visit to Alella Vinícola winery
10:00: Parade of gegants
10:15: Visit to Roura winery
12:00: Cercavila (town parade) of gegants, capgrossos, grallers and timbalers d'Alella
12:30 - 14:00: Tapas and wine.
17:30: Sardanes (traditional dance)
20:00 - 23:00: Gastronomy fair. Tastings of the wines and cavas of the region and local food specialities
22:00 till ... : Havaneres (Traditional fishermen's songs)

If one of the visits to the wineries catches your eye, act quickly as there is limited availability. Contact The Spanish Touch to make a reservation or ask for more information.  If you are not in the area during the festival, The Spanish Touch can arrange visits to the wineries and walking routes throughout the year so that you can see a more intimate side of Spanish wines.