Olive oil in Catalonia isn’t just an ingredient — it’s a cultural inheritance. In the rugged hills and river valleys of the DOP Siurana, olive trees have shaped landscapes, livelihoods, and flavours for centuries. This protected designation of origin, one of Spain’s oldest, is considered the heartland of Catalan olive oil, known especially for elegant, aromatic arbequina-based extra virgin oils.
Within only a few hours of Barcelona, you’ll find historic monasteries, small village co-ops, family-run estates, and modern olive mills — all connected by a shared devotion to quality and terroir. Whether you’re planning a dedicated olive oil route or pairing tastings with Priorat or Penedès wine visits, these five stops offer some of the most rewarding olive oil experiences in southern Catalonia.
Click Here to Learn About the History of Olive Oil in Catalonia
Cooperativa de Cabacés — Community, Tradition & DOP Siurana
📍 Cabacés, Priorat ( ~2 hrs by car from Barcelona)
Founded in the early 20th century, the Cabacés Cooperative represents the co-op spirit that defines much of Siurana’s olive oil identity. Local farmers pool generations of knowledge here, producing certified DOP Siurana extra virgin olive oil that reflects both place and people.
Why It’s Special
→ Authentic cooperative model: Oils made by and for local families.
→ Siurana purity: Focused primarily on arbequina olives grown in surrounding groves.
→ Village-scale experience: A grounded, honest look at rural olive oil production.
Visitor Experience Highlights
→ Insight into cooperative milling and harvesting practices.
→ Tasting sessions highlighting fresh, delicate arbequina oils.
→ Opportunity to buy oils directly from the source.
Mas Montseny — A Living Olive Oil Tradition Near Barcelona
📍 Mas Montseny (Baix Penedès) ( ~1 hr by car from Barcelona)
Already a favourite for those seeking authentic agricultural experiences close to Barcelona, Mas Montseny offers a classic olive oil mill story rooted in family continuity. The estate’s olive mill dates back to the 1940s and continues to serve as a local milling hub while producing its own oils under DOP Siurana standards.
Why It’s Worth Visiting
→ Historic continuity: From stone presses to modern milling.
→ Accessibility: One of the easiest Siurana-connected olive oil visits from Barcelona.
→ Multi-product estate: Olive oil alongside other regional agricultural products.
Visitor Experience Highlights
→ Learn about traditional vs. modern milling techniques.
→ Taste estate olive oils in a relaxed, rural setting.
→ Ideal as a half-day trip or stop en route to Penedès or Tarragona.
Torclum Olive Mill — Modern Siurana Oils in the Penedès
📍 Penedès ( ~1 hr by car from Barcelona)
Torclum bridges tradition and innovation, producing high-quality extra virgin olive oils with a clean, contemporary approach. While Penedès is perhaps best known for wine and cava, Torclum shows how olive oil thrives here as well — especially under the influence of DOP Siurana practices and standards.
What Makes It Interesting
→ Modern vision: Precision milling with a strong focus on freshness.
→ Cross-regional appeal: Easy to combine with wine or cava tastings.
→ Educational approach: Great for visitors new to olive oil tasting.
Visitor Experience Highlights
→ Learn how harvest timing affects flavour and aroma.
→ Guided tastings focused on sensory analysis.
→ Farm shop with oils and related gourmet products.
Molí de l’Oli — Family-Run Ecològic Milling in Priorat
📍 Escaladei & Cabacés, Priorat ( ~2 hrs by car from Barcelona)
Nestled into the steep slopes and dry-stone terraces of Priorat, Molí de l’Oli is a family-run olive oil producer that embodies both historic tradition and ecological stewardship. With more than ten generations tied to these lands, this mill crafts extra virgin olive oil from ancient olive trees that thrive between the Mediterranean breezes and the winds of the Ebro Valley.
Why It’s Worth Visiting
→ Generational expertise: The family has been cultivating olives and producing oil here for decades, preserving ancestral knowledge and traditional care in every bottle.
→ Ecològic focus: Their commitment to organic agriculture and the natural landscape gives their oils a distinct expression of the Priorat terroir.
→ Intimate experience: Visits include insight into grove landscapes, olive oil production, and tasting opportunities in a relaxed, rural setting.
Visitor Experience Highlights
→ Guided tours or tailored visits around the olive mill and surrounding groves — from a simple oil tasting to a fuller excursion with land exploration.
→ Olive oil tasting: Sample different expressions of their work and learn about the subtle flavour profiles that come from their ecological practices.
→ Purchase direct from the source: Their selection includes organic extra virgin oils — perfect for gifts or to bring home after your trip.
Olis Solé (Mas Tarrés) — Siurana Heritage & Olive Oil Museum
📍 Mont-roig del Camp ( ~1 hr 45 min by car from Barcelona)
A standout producer in the DOP Siurana region, Olis Solé (also known as Mas Tarrés) is a family-run operation with roots stretching back generations. Beyond producing award-winning extra virgin olive oil, they also house an olive oil museum, making this one of the most educational stops on the route.
Why It Stands Out
→ Deep family heritage: Olive growing passed down through generations.
→ Certified DOP Siurana oils: Focus on quality, balance, and tradition.
→ Cultural experience: One of the best places to fully understand olive oil history in Catalonia.
Visitor Experience Highlights
→ Visit the olive oil museum and old milling tools.
→ Taste multiple expressions of Siurana olive oil.
→ Well-designed shop ideal for gifts and gourmet souvenirs.
Practical Tips for Visiting Olive Oil Mills in DOP Siurana
Best Time to Visit
→ Harvest season (November–January): Freshly pressed oils and active mills.
→ Spring & fall: Pleasant weather and fewer crowds for tastings and tours.
Pair with Wine Tourism
DOP Siurana overlaps beautifully with Priorat, Montsant, and Penedès wine regions, making it easy to combine olive oil tastings with winery visits for a full gastronomic itinerary.
Check Out Wino Tour’s Unforgettable Wine Adventures!
Conclusion
From family-run organic producers to internationally acclaimed estate mills, the DOP Siurana offers one of the richest olive oil tourism experiences in Spain. Whether your tour focuses on tastings, history, landscape, or gourmet experiences, these five stops provide a rich starting point for unforgettable journeys through Catalonia’s liquid gold.
