A wine village in the Penedès
The perfect village for wine tourism in Catalonia
The history of Finca Viladellops dates back to 930 alongside that of the castle of Olèrdola, with its perfectly preserved medieval tower, which signified the beginning of the creation of the wine-making village that carries its name: Viladellops.
Rooted in our history, the cultural heritage of the estate is a testament to the strength of the village as a whole, leading to a project in which tradition, land and wine play a leading role. The winery has been producing wine since 1877, employing traditional methods that are still utilized today.
In the nineties, the winery underwent a modernization process and chose to focus on creating high-quality wines with a distinct Mediterranean essence. As part of this new initiative, Finca Viladellops introduced indigenous grape varieties, such as Grenache and Xarel·lo, to serve as the foundation for its wines. This decision was made to authentically represent and express the love for the region. Since then, we have remained committed to upholding the family’s longstanding tradition of winemaking and our unwavering passion for our 100% Mediterranean land.
Finca Viladellops is the reflection of a wine village with antiquity, family authenticity and history.
Wine-making village of cultural interest
There are several points of cultural interest around Finca Viladellops linked to our estate that help to understand moments in our history. You can learn about our family history through the years at the head of Finca Viladellops and its winery. If you like monuments, within our vineyards you will find an 11th century medieval tower, declared a Site of Cultural Interest, and the chapel of Saint John, a Romanesque chapel restored by the family in 1950.
Currently, the village is made up of 18 farmhouses (typical tourist accommodation in the area) that give the village the same atmosphere as it did 100 years ago, since the architecture and environment have been completely preserved.
Discover our wine toursSpace describing the family’s history and that of Catalonia based on documented texts, images, and photographs from the Desvalls Archive. A pioneering cultural project, based on a public and private collaboration, which promotes documentary heritage in its regional context, in this case the county of Alt Penedès.
The documentary collection of the Desvalls Family Archive spans from 981 to 1983. It consists of 4,529 scrolls, 289 archive boxes with manuscripts and paper documentation, 554 images (172 glass plates, 377 b/w positives and 5 colour positives) and 203 plans and drawings on cloth, parchment, paper and wax paper.
Chapel with a rectangular nave restored in 1950 by the owners. Built in a Romanesque style dating from the 13th century. On the west facade is a door with a rounded archway and double splay porthole. It has a bell gable. The Baroque sacristy was added later to the facade. The now ancient altar, with holes for relics, has been placed outside with a stone foot and mass is held there when there are too many people to fit inside.
In 1951, the bell was christened Margarida by Marcelo Desvalls’ grandfather, in honour of his wife.
Inside one of the farmhouses that make up Finca Viladellops, is a building declared a Cultural Asset of National Interest. The tower is round and built with irregular ashlars arranged in horizontal rows. The place is first mentioned in the year 976, in a donation of land located within the grounds of the Castle of Olèrdola. The height of the first floor, from the outside, is approximately 7 metres. The construction is made up of irregular stones and inside you can see an “opus spicatum” or ear of wheat, the type of construction used in Roman and medieval times.
The building attached to the west of the tower is believed to have been a prison by some, and the old chapel of Saint John by others. It is 4.5 metres long and 180 cm high.
An authentic family project
The Desvalls family, owners of Finca Viladellops, produced wine using traditional methods until 1980. However, in 1999, the new generation embraced modern winemaking techniques. This led to a project that is 100% Mediterranean, introducing the most native and locally sourced grape varieties: Garnacha and Xarel·lo.
From day one, the Desvalls family has been deeply connected to the land, nurturing it to maintain the native landscape. The current generation continues this philosophy and upholds tradition, always prioritizing sustainability in winemaking to achieve wines with a truly Mediterranean character.
Marcelo Desvalls, the current owner, is the driving force behind this new era for Finca Viladellops, transforming it into a deeply personal project that reflects all the hard work and dedication invested in its creation.
He explains:
“I was born among vineyards, and my childhood has been tied to the land. I would like, and hope, to be able to leave a legacy and pass the torch to the next generation. From the beginning, I have passionately sought to respect the landscape and, together with my entire team, to produce quality wines that express the magic of the Garraf Massif.”