18/10/2026
W**e Appreciation Group (WAGs) Event
Wednesday 14th October 2026 – Celler Viníric, Calonge
Nineteen members of the WAGs group enjoyed a wonderful visit to Celler Viníric in Calonge on a beautifully warm October day. With the sun shining, the vines showing their autumn colours and the Costa Brava at its best, the setting could hardly have been better. Our host was Eduard, a real Catalan character whose enthusiasm, knowledge and wonderfully relaxed manner made the visit every bit as enjoyable as the w**es themselves.
Eduard took us out among the vines and explained how much care goes into looking after them throughout the year. This summer’s prolonged heat had certainly put the vineyard to the test, and it was fascinating to hear how the vines had been managed to help them cope with the conditions. It was a timely reminder that making good w**e begins long before the grapes reach the cellar: the work in the vineyard, the character of the soil and the decisions made by the people tending the vines all play their part.
Viníric is rooted in Calonge, a town with a long agricultural and w**emaking tradition, in the Baix Empordà. The w**ery describes its approach as making w**e ‘from the roots’, respecting the land while keeping the craft at the centre of the process. The surrounding Gavarres massif helps moderate the hot, dry summers and the local soils are a mix of gravel, sand, silt and clay. Together, these give the area a distinctive setting for growing grapes and producing w**es that express their origins. The w**ery works with a range of varieties, including local favourites such as Garnatxa Blanca and Garnatxa Negra, alongside Monastrell, Carinyena and others.
It is also a reminder that the Costa Brava is much more than beaches, holiday apartments and restaurants. Places such as Viníric help preserve the agricultural landscape and traditions that have shaped Calonge for generations, even as tourism has transformed much of the surrounding coast. The vineyard is a working business, but one that is also keen to welcome visitors and share the story behind its w**es.
Inside the cellar, we saw the barrels and the carefully stored bottles, and heard more about the choices involved in turning the harvest into the finished product. Viníric combines traditional know-how with modern w**emaking techniques, and its range includes the fresh, approachable Vella Lola w**es, the more gastronomic Propòsit range and the special Finques Incansables w**es made from selected batches. There is clearly plenty of thought behind each bottle — and, as we discovered, plenty to talk about.
Of course, no WAGs visit would be complete without putting some of that knowledge to practical use. We rounded off the tour with a tasting of six w**es, accompanied by a generous spread of cheese, cured ham and bread, together with locally produced olives. The food was just the thing to keep the tasting on course, while giving everyone the chance to compare notes, discover favourites and enjoy the company.
The serious business of tasting — and enjoying — the w**es.
Eduard proved to be an excellent host: informative, relaxed and full of personality. The best moment may have come when he confessed, with admirable honesty, that despite working among vines and w**e, he actually prefers b**r! We shall leave it to the group to decide whether this makes him a refreshingly down-to-earth w**emaker or a man in need of further WAGs training!!
All in all, it was a thoroughly enjoyable day: good company, lovely weather, an interesting look behind the scenes and six w**es to explore in a relaxed setting.
The W**e Appreciation Group (WAGs) aims to give members a varied experience of the many w**eries and w**e centres around the Costa Brava — from small, characterful producers to established names. Every visit offers a chance to learn something new about the people, the place and the w**e, while having a good time along the way. If you would like to join us on a future outing, do get in touch. There is always another story to discover, and usually another glass to raise!
Stephen White (Chief WAG!)
"I live by the principle of drinking w**e and living happily…” (Omar Khayyam)
