At the beginning of the twentieth century, the house was still inhabited by the Ràfols family. In 1930, the house was purchased by Mr. Jacinto Esteva Fontanet who subsequently spent occasional summers there. Wine growing and wine making have never been abandoned throughout the centuries of history of the estate. In fact, a red wine from Can Ràfols dels Caus received an award at the Universal Exhibition of Madrid in 1888. In 1979, Carlos Esteva, grandson of Mr. Jacinto Esteva, embarked on the gradual undertaking of restoring the great house, while updating the wine-production methods. He and his family continue to inhabit the estate at the present.
Read historical study
Clearly documented historical data regarding the house of Can Ràfols dels Caus are only available to us from the fifteenth century onwards. Thus, we hear that in 1478 Antoni Ràfols, son of Francesc and Antònia Viñes, from les Gunyoles, married Aldonsa Tintorer, the daughter of Joan Tintorer and Agnès and granddaughter of Pons de Caus. Upon this occasion her dowry was the mas (Manor) of Sant Julià (parchment no. 9 of Can Suriol d’Olivella). Antoni Ràfols appears in the register or census of 1533 (p. 395). Everything suggests that the first Ràfols dels Caus went to live in the Mas of Sant Julià towards the end of the fifteenth century. The house is documented as belonging to Cristòfol Ràfols dels Caus in 1751. It seems, therefore, that the mas of Sant Julià dels Caus was formerly inhabited by the Pons dels Caus (fifteenth century), whose granddaughter, Agnès Tintorer Pons, was married to Antoni Ràfols, presumably the Lord of les Gunyoles.
The stone arches of Can Ràfols dels Caus bear the date of 1634, when the Ràfols lived there. The chapel has an entrance dating to 1788, which is most probably its date of construction. It is hard to know what the situation was prior to the fifteenth century. We possess some clues which I will proceed to lay out. In the eleventh century, when the borders or limits of the Parish of Sant Miquel d’Olèrdola were established for the second time, it included the territories to the west of a line that started at Sitges, climbed to Can Grau d’Olivella, continued along the Gavarra d’Olesa, and proceeded to Cantallops, passing through Vilaseca (MUNTANER, “El Terme d’Olèrdola en el segle X”, 45) (Diplomatari de la Catedral de Barcelona, no. 234). Besides which, in the consecration of said church of Sant Miquel, in the year 992, it is stated that the line passed by “spelunca qui vocitatur Derrii”, and by the spring of Cantallops, and also mentions a church in the country outside Olèrdola’s city walls devoted to the worship of Sant Julià (MUNTANER, idem, 15/56; Dip. Catedral, no.222). It seems likely that the “spelunca” was Els Caus, Vilaseca was the house of Can Ràfols and Sant Julià was the present chapel of Can Ràfols, which we know already existed in 1478 and gave its name the mas of Sant Julià. This is the hypothesis which I am inclined to believe."
Vicenç Carbonell Virilla, 2001
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| Our rates are divided into “low season” and “high season” and do not include breakfast. The rates shown are for the rental of the whole house. The total amount must be paid upon arrival or beforehand either in cash, by credit or debit card or by a bank wire transfer. During the month of July, the cottage has access to a fabulous open-air swimming pool with sun terrace and loungers. This seasonal service carries a surcharge of 30% on top of the corresponding rate. |
Low Season
From 1st October to 31st May (inclusive)
30 € per person per night |
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High Season
From 1st June to 30th September (inclusive) and the following holidays:
Christmas (24th-26th December), New Year (31st December-1st January), Epiphany (6th January), Easter (Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday) and the Constitution – Immaculate Conception Bank Holiday (around the 6th-9th December).
40 € per person per night
For more information, contact us |
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| Can Piula is the original seventeenth-century shepherd’s cottage of the Can Ràfols dels Caus estate. For many years, it was inhabited by the current owner and wine grower, Carlos Esteva, while he devoted his energies to restoring the main house. As a result, Can Piula has also been restored with that very same attention to detail, aesthetic taste and respect for the surrounding habitat as the grand mansion. |
| The cottage can comfortably accommodate 7 people and can be rented for weekends, weeks or seasons. It has 3 bedrooms, two bathrooms, one of which has a full-size bath, 1 fully-equipped kitchen, a living room and dining area, and all rooms have spectacular views of the mountains in the Garraf Natural Park and the vineyards. |
| The cottage is situated right in the very heart of a small valley of gently-sloping vineyards scattered with almond trees, aromatic herbs and wild flowers. The entrance to the cottage is framed by a beautiful apricot tree and has a lovely front terrace complete with patio table and chairs; the ideal spot for breakfast or simply enjoying the tranquillity and heady aromas of the countryside. |
The cottage is the perfect base camp for visiting wineries, whether it is the Can Ràfols dels Caus estate itself or the many other places that this wine-producing region has to offer. This is an ideal location for trekking or just relaxing and unwinding in the Penedès, the Garraf Natural Park and the former fishing village and haven of artists and bohemians that is Sitges. The Mediterranean coast is just 12 minutes away, Barcelona is 35 minutes away and the Roman walled city of Tarragona is only 45 minutes away.
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