Gratallops, Priorat, Catalonia 2012.In the top of the hill this little village is looking to the great vineyards of the Priorat region.
getty
Spain is the world’s third largest wine-producing nation (after Italy and France), and also the third most-visited country in Europe for wine tourism. Of the close to 100 official wine appellations (or D.O.s, which stands for denominaciones de origen) in Spain, the best known and most traveled is Rioja, which attracted more than 900,000 visitors in 2024.
Discover The Priorat Wine Region
Rioja’s fame is well deserved. The appellation is one of only two Spanish D.O.C.s or Denominaciones de Origen Calificada (Qualified Designation of Origin), which is the highest quality classification for a Spanish wine region.
Priorat has 4,663 acres of planted vineyards across 110 wineries, compared to Rioja’s 163,000 acres of registered vineyards and 600 wineries.
getty
But, what about the other Spanish D.O.C.? Surprisingly, it is not Ribera del Duero or Rueda, but Priorat, a small, remote region deep in the Catalan mountainous inland. Priorat has a total area of 43,562 acres, of which 4,663 acres are currently planted with vines across 110 wineries (compared to Rioja’s 163,000 acres of registered vineyards and 600 wineries). Despite its diminutive size, Priorat punches well above its weight. At the 2025 Decanter World Wine Awards, Priorat took home no fewer than 70 medals, including a “Best in Show” award for Vall Llach’s Mas de la Rosa Gran Vinya Classificada.
Despite producing some of Spain’s finest vintages, Priorat receives a fraction of the visitors of the likes of Rioja or Ribera del Duero. And most of those who do come here are locals from Catalonia. Why? Logistics play a major part, from a lack of public transport, to limited hotel facilities. As for the wineries, most are small, family-run businesses that only accept visitors with prior appointments. Last but not least, the drive from Barcelona takes two hours, and that is providing you are willing to brave the rugged, mountainous terrain and treacherous winding roads.
The helicopter takes off from the helipad at Torre Melina, a Gran Meliá Hotel and arrives in Priorat 30 minutes later.
Image courtesy Torre Melina, a Gran Meliá HotelThe Priorat Wine Region In 30 Minutes From Barcelona
But this is about to change. Starting now, it is going to be easier than ever to reach the Priorat wine region from central Barcelona, thanks to an exhilarating new experience from the Torre Melina Gran Meliá Hotel.
Torre Melina Gran Meliá is an upscale urban resort set in Barcelona’s exclusive uptown Pedralbes neighborhood. In addition to a superb array of on-site services, including a Beso Beach club, an expansive spa and wellness center, the excellent Erre & Urrechu restaurant, and more than 269,000 square feet of manicured Mediterranean gardens, the hotel has plenty to offer those with a more adventurous disposition. Now more so than ever, following the launch of Torre Melina’s thrilling new wine, food and wellness experience.
The full-day experience takes off from Torre Melina in the morning on board a private helicopter, soaring over the lush, verdant landscapes of Catalonia before landing at the Mas Igneus winery only 30 minutes later. Set in the heart of Priorat, Mas Igneus is an organic winery whose wines reflect the terroir and deep-rooted traditions of Priorat, along with the owners’ passion for sustainability. Once there, guests enjoy a brunch brimming with local Catalan delicacies among the vines, followed by an exclusive wine tasting experience with views of the sweeping, cinematic contours of the Priorat.
Wine tasting at Mas Igneus winery.
Image courtesy Torre Melina, a Gran Meliá HotelExperiences Inspired By The Priorat Wine Region
The helicopter’s return journey to the hotel sets off in time for a specially designed tasting menu lunch by chef Íñigo Urrechu at Erre Barcelona, Torre Melina’s charcoal grill restaurant. Inspired by the wines sampled during the day, the menu pairs creations such as refreshing tomato tartare with grilled avocado and Payoyo cheese, or a decadent sirloin steak served with parmentier potatoes, with a carefully curated selection of Priorat wines—including some of Mas Igneus’ finest vintages.
To round off the day, guests are invited to indulge in The Grape Ritual, a 75-minute treatment at Torre Melina’s new spa, the SeaSkin Life Holistic Club. A sensory experience in four stages, the treatment starts with a grape seed oil exfoliation, followed by a massage using warm flower and root oils, a double-hydration facial ritual with grape and ginkgo extract, ending with an aromatic mist treatment.
Available year-round, this experience is designed for small groups of two to five people, guaranteeing an intimate day out, and a one-of-a-kind opportunity for wine connoisseurs to embark on an experience unlike anything else currently on offer in Barcelona.
Dining and Cooking