In the Gracia neighborhood of Barcelona is the Winery E. Marin (Carrer de Milà i Fontanals, 72), heritage of the city's 'vermuteo'. With more than 120 years, its walls, crammed with barrels and bottles, count that Mr. Marín opened in the neighborhood with an offer of bulk wines and homemade tapas, a good quality grocery store for everyone. In the hands of its last owners, La Tere and Antonio, it continued for 38 more years forging its history, until its closure.
It was then, when he came across the story of Vanessa and Luis, who just arrived from Peru looking for a change of life, they fell in love with her. “Vanessa loved the winery, she had the idea of following the path of opening a wine bar, like the ones she has inaugurated before. Before finalizing the purchase we were able to work with them for a few weeks. It didn't take long for us to realize that the correct path would be to continue this story as it was happening..
Vanessa's knowledge as a sommelier and Luis's, as a gastronomic specialist, have given the menu a new twist. "We hope to continue with this great business for many more years," they tell Traveler.es.
They signed the purchase of the premises and they could hardly celebrate it, because that same day they already had clients. “ This winery reminds us of our beginnings in restoration . Even after 20 years, we maintain a place with the same spirit in Lima, called 'La Esquina Bar de Vinos'. Being able to continue doing what we enjoy the most does not sound like work to us and it is very gratifying to be able to adapt to a new environment and follow a story that has a lot to tell, that is why we decided to bet on this investment”, they add.
It was first opened in 1916.
CELLAR WITH SOLERA
And what does this winery have that makes it so special? In addition, the wide variety of bulk wines: red, white, muscatel, mistela, port, sherry; the vermouth stands out . “It is made to measure for the winery by an artisan producer in Reus. The taste of our vermouth, a great Catalan classic, places us as the most renowned vermouth in Gràcia ”, they underline.
But it is also its character that makes it especially attractive. Its bottles of wine, the smell, the usual shelves... "It's something unique!"
And among its gastronomic offer, traditional dishes such as tripe, oxtail, cheek, wild boar or roe deer in the most traditional way. “Also oysters, razor clams and octopus, which combine perfectly with our cava. I dare to say that it is the best cava by the glass in the city . You have to try it”, explain Vanessa and Luis.
Your selection of cava.
Thus, as a quality product: oysters from the Delta, Galician razor clams, Cantabrian anchovies, Reus vermouth, Sant Sadurní cava and wines, most of them D.O.
"Also, you can still come to the bodega and buy to go a huge selection of spirits and beverages at wholesale prices . This was started by the previous owners. However, along with all the usual rums, gins and whiskeys, you will now find the best selection of Sherry and brandies from the best houses in Spain. The ratafia , Catalan heritage, is more present than ever in the winery”.
And, as a novelty, music, a bit from all over the world. “It is the first time in the Winery E. Marin these melodies sound, uniting in a single space the best of good drinking, eating and the right environment for day to day".