Castell de les Pujades

Castell de les Pujades is a fortified manor in Castellví de la Marca, at the heart of the Alt Penedès wine region, listed as a Catalan cultural property of national interest. Today it is best known through the Aymar winery that operates on its grounds, but beneath the modern estate lie traces of a defensive history stretching back to the Middle Ages.

What is the history behind the castle?

The first fortification on this site dates back at least to the 10th century, making it one of the oldest defensive settlements in the municipality. Over the centuries ownership passed through several families: the Vilafranca lineage held it in the 13th and 14th centuries, the Masdovelles took over in the 15th century, and by the 18th century the estate belonged to the marquises of Poal and Alfarràs. In 1864 the old stronghold was partly demolished and rebuilt as a fortified farmhouse, a layout that has survived largely unchanged to the present day.

What can you actually see on site?

From the original fortification, solid buttressed walls and a circular watchtower roughly 9 metres tall still stand, built from small, roughly cut stone. These elements — the perimeter wall and the tower — now enclose the wine cellar that was added during the 19th-century rebuild. The overall layout echoes a classic Catalan basilica-type masia, once enclosed within a defensive palisade.

The estate today houses the Aymar winery, which produces traditional-method Clásico Penedès sparkling wines. It is an unusual combination: a walk along medieval stone walls followed by a tasting of local sparkling wine made in the literal shadow of the old tower.

How do you get there?

Castell de les Pujades sits near the village of La Múnia, within the municipality of Castellví de la Marca, about 50 km southwest of Barcelona. The Alt Penedès area is well connected by regional roads linking Vilafranca del Penedès with the surrounding wine villages — a car is the most practical way to arrive, and the visit pairs naturally with a wider tour of Penedès vineyards.

When is the best time to visit?

Spring (April to June) and early autumn (September–October) offer the mildest weather and the most attractive vineyard scenery — green in spring, golden during harvest in autumn. Summers in Penedès can get quite hot, which makes lingering outdoors around the castle grounds less comfortable.

Frequently asked questions

Can the castle be visited independently? The grounds belong to the privately run Aymar winery, so access is usually arranged through organised visits or tastings — it is worth checking availability in advance.

Are any original medieval elements still standing? Yes — the buttressed walls and the roughly 9-metre circular watchtower date from the original fortification and still enclose today's wine cellar.

Who owned the castle throughout its history? Ownership passed through the Vilafranca family (13th–14th centuries), the Masdovelles (15th century), and finally the marquises of Poal and Alfarràs (18th century).

What is the connection between the castle and wine production? After the 1864 rebuild turned the stronghold into a working farmhouse with a cellar, the estate became home to the Aymar winery, which now produces Clásico Penedès sparkling wines on the site.