Catalan cuisine ranks among some of the finest in the world. If one restaurant has shaped the history of Spanish cuisine it is undoubtedly El Bulli. It seems impossible to believe this mythical place with modest beginnings in a small bay near Roses, just up the coast from Hostal de la Gavina, closed its doors some 23 years ago, but its legacy continues to inspire a new generation of chefs eager to carry on the mantle of Ferran Adrià – the man who elevated food into an art form and made it ok for chefs to moonlight as chemists: the fact that 69 Michelin stars were recently awarded to Catalan restaurants bears testimony to this.
There are several fine vineyards in close proximity to Hostal de la Gavina, including Clos d’Agon and Castell De Perelada who happily receive guests for bespoke tours and tastings of their local Empordà D.O. wine, which thrives on the influence of the Tramontane wind. Located within the province of Girona, historically it has been a red wine-producing hotspot but in recent years has expanded its offering to include crisp whites and delicate rosés of consistent quality.
Clos d’Agon
Just a 20-minute drive inland from La Gavina, Swiss-owned Clos d’Agon, acquired by Philippe Dambois in 1999, is a boutique winery that was totally replanted by the highly respected winemaker and consultant Peter Sisseck, famous for creating the most expensive of all Spanish wines, the legendary Dominio de Pingus in Ribera del Duero. Visits include a stroll through picturesque vineyards that tumble down towards the glistening Mediterranean villages of Sant Antoni de Calonge and Palamós; an overview of the production process, followed by a tasting of several of the estate’s wines usually under the guidance of winemaker Paco Balsera. The colourful Cubist-inspired winery building is beautifully integrated into its surroundings, nestled alongside the original El Mas Gil stone farmhouse. Written records reveal that grapes have been grown on this spot as early as the 15th Century.
You can sample a selection of Clos d’Agon’s wines in our restaurants, including the red Clos d’Agon Mas Gil (a blend of Cabernet Franc/Syrah/Petit Verdot), the crisp Amic white (Garnacha blanca/Garnacha gris) and Amic rosé (Garnacha Tinta/Merlot/Cariñena)
Perelada
Only an hour’s drive north from the hotel is Perelada, where wine has been produced since the Middle Ages. This vast estate, just outside Figueres and towards the border with France, was purchased by Miguel Mateu, Grandfather of current President Javier Suqué in 1923, whose main objective was to revitalise the wine-producing tradition. Even as a young 25-year-old, every time he passed by the original Adolf Florensa-designed winery, Javier knew he wanted to build a new one to sit harmoniously alongside it. In a €30 million investment, the family commissioned award-winning RCR Architects to help realise their dream by designing a new cutting-edge winery, which opened in 2019, to create wines that harness the unique nuances of the soils and vines of Empordà. Perelada offers guided tours of its castle, immaculate gardens, library, and wine museum, culminating in a visit to the new winery for a tasting.
You can sample a selection of Perelada wines in our restaurants, including reds Finca la Garriga (Cariñena), Finca Espolla (Syrah/Monastrell) and Gran Claustro (Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot) as well as Collection Rosé (Cabernet/Cariñena/Merlot)