On the coast and forming —with Garraf and
Alt Penedès— the natural region of
Penedès, famous for its wines. The Penedès
plain (central and coastal sectors) is framed to
the north by the Montmell
range. In the Middle Ages, the territory was part
of the county of Barcelona and the magistrature
of Vilafranca del Penedès. In the provincial
division of 1833, however, it was included in the
province of Tarragona and so is now part of the
tourist area of the Costa Daurada.
The agrarian economy is almost entirely devoted to
a single crop, the vine, and the wines (with guarantee
of origin) and cellars are of great renown. Traditional
seafaring activities (fishing and navigation) have
given way to an important tourist development, especially
in the field of second homes, mostly on the coastal
strip, with the attraction of the mild climate and
the sailing and other water sports.
