Alt Berguedà is a region surrounded by hills that separate it from the rest of the region of which it forms part, Berguedà. This gives it a markedly different character, with its own particular personality as regards its history, society and landscape. Amongst the peaks, woods and long-forgotten buildings, the town of Sant Julià de Cerdanyola has created a small farm that embodies a commitment to sustainability and the preservation of local traditions.
Vineyards and flowers to transform (and care for) the landscape
Bauma de les Deveses is a project that stemmed from the vision of Imma Espel, Carles Flaquer and Joan Rubió, and an example of environmental resilience. Its history dates back to 2014, when they imagined a vineyard in the small abandoned terraces of Deveses de Sant Julià de Cerdanyola, where wine was already being made in the 12th century but was gradually abandoned owing to the hardship of cultivating the vines A year later, this dream began to take physical shape through redoing the walls, preparing the soil and planting the vines.
Bauma de les Deveses fuses sustainable viticulture with the production of certified organic spices and infusions, taking advantage of the presence of aromatic and medicinal plants on the land, which have also been planted in the village's communal vegetable gardens. Thus, the land of Les Deveses – holm oak grove, a rarity in the Pre-Pyrenees – is being turned into land where wine and herbs create a unique agroforestry landscape.
The vineyard, which is at an altitude of between 1,000 and 1,300 metres, is cared for manually and without the use of machinery. This practice pays tribute to the work of past generations, highlighting the importance of preserving traditional techniques, and at the same time it respects the fauna in the area, which is increasing year after year thanks to the crops grown in Les Deveses.
Recovering lost knowledge
With its gardens of plants with gastronomic and medicinal properties, Bauma de les Deveses has also become a focus of knowledge and dissemination of a millenary art. The guide written by Imma, "101 plantes medicinals i aromàtiques silvestres de Catalunya que cal conèixer” [101 medicinal and aromatic wild plants of Catalonia you need to know], is an invitation to rediscover the botanical richness of Catalan forests and to recover lost knowledge.
With all these ingredients, it is not surprising that Bauma de les Deveses is a great destination for those who are looking for an authentic and responsible experience that showcases the region. The project is open to visitors with the organisation of activities and visits that allow them to explore the vineyard, taste its wines and immerse themselves in the world of the medicinal plants that grow both in the orchards and in the surrounding area. We recommend you visit them in spring, when they are in flower and full of pollinating insects, and provide a spectacular sight for the senses.
The programme of workshops on offer over the next few months includes diverse and interesting activities such as learning how to make medicinal sweets and syrups, ratafia, natural remedies, perfumes and scented spices. In addition, they also organise tailor-made activities for groups.
More nature and ancestral traditions
Beyond Bauma de les Deveses, we can continue to enjoy an experience of connection with nature by discovering its privileged environment.
Located between the municipalities of La Nou de Berguedà, La Pobla de Lillet and Castell de l'Areny, Sant Julià de Cerdanyola offers imposing landscapes that can be contemplated from the La Creu viewpoint, with magnificent views of Pedraforca.
Cultural tourism is also important and you can visit the Artigas Gardens, designed by Antoni Gaudí, in La Pobla de Lillet, and the sanctuary of Falgars, in the Catllaràs mountain range. Moreover, Sant Julià de Cerdanyola has a fascinating festival that is part of the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This is the Fia-Faia, which is held on the night of 24 December and is a great example of the ancestral festivals dedicated to fire that are celebrated all over the Pyrenees.
In short, Bauma de les Deveses exceeds its role as a sustainable company to become the emblem of a new way of doing things that seeks to balance progress with respect for nature and tradition. With each experience, Bauma de les Deveses invites us to be part of a positive change towards a more sustainable and harmonious future with our environment.
