The event, held from 24-25 April 2026 in the picturesque Costa del Maresme, the Mediterranean jewel on the doorstep of Barcelona, marked the addition of a new destination on the map of European wine chivalry – the Comanderia Catalonia – a decisive step towards the establishment of the Spanish Consulate of Ordo Equestris Vini Europae.
The festival was attended by a large delegation from the Romanian Consulate of the OEVE, the founding sponsor of the Comanderia Catalonia, a delegation from the Comanderia Tenerife and, of course, Spanish confederates and invited Spanish friends.
The Knightly Senate was represented by Vice-Consul Marius Farmazon, Visiting-Senats.
The first day of the event was reserved for a visit to the Art Laietà d’Alta Alella winery, the family project of Josep Maria Pujol-Busquets Camps, his wife Cristina Guillén Soldevila and their two daughters Mireia and Georgina. The winery is in the middle of the Serralada de Marina Natural Park, right on the Catalan coast. Since its beginnings in 1991, the winery has practiced organic farming and has recovered vineyards over 65 years old and traditional varieties such as Pansa Blanca (Xarel-lo) and Mataró (Monastrell). The vineyards, terraced, are located in the towns of Alella, Teià and Tiana, the origin of high quality cava since the early 20th century. The winery has been a pioneer in the production of sulphite-free cava (since 2006). In 2017, Vallcirera was recognized as a Qualified Situ by the CR Cava (the only one that has been ecological since its origins and located in a natural park), the distinction being a reward for many years of work in the production of high-quality cava with its own personality and linked to the territory. In 2022, the DO Cava certified the winery as an Integral Producer – a guarantee of traceability and origin, confirming the differentiated character of the Serra de Mar territory. This zoning highlights the uniqueness of the Art Laietà d’Alta Alella winery.
The program started with a walk through the vineyard, a visit to the winery and the vineyard’s wine cellar, followed by a wine tasting. The evening ended with a Catalan fine dining Catalan dinner, in an atmosphere of chivalrous friendship and good humor.
Saturday’s day, dedicated to the ritual of chivalry, took place in the quaint town of Caldes d’Estrac and began with a social gathering of participants, who enjoyed a tasting of cava and Catalan gastronomic products, followed by the chivalric procession and the accreditation ceremony of the new members, which formalized the establishment of the new commandery. The knightly ceremony was also attended by the city officials, Mrs. Elisabeth Segura and Mr. Albert Batlle Salvaña.
The knightly ceremony was followed by dinner at the Solstici Restaurant, located right on the Caldes d’Estrac beach, with the organizers offering guests an inspired menu of seafood and fish, paired with cava and Catalan still wines.
At the end, the participants thanked the leader of the new Commandery of Catalonia, Eques Komtur Bogdan Nicolae, for the hospitality, good organization and friendly atmosphere in which the knightly festival took place, under the motto Ordo Equestris Vini Europae,
In Honorem Dei et In Honorem Vini
Event photo gallery: https://tinyurl.com/crw5huxv
