Wine tourism in Spain is not anywhere near as well developed
as France or California, but the possibilities are as varied and interesting
as Spain itself. There are more than 60 official "appellations" known as
"
Denominaciones de Origen
"(DO), spread over the Iberian peninsula
and the country's two archipelagos: Canary and Baleric Islands. While each
DO region has it's fair share of fine wines, many still lack the infrastructure
for mass tourism, and many "bodegas" can be ill prepared to receive
visitors, especially non-Spanish speaking tourists. In the last 5 years or so, however,
we've seen major improvements in the wine tourism sector.
For wine lovers this can be more of a blessing than
a handicap. Just the same, let's start with the better equipped regions:
Rioja, Penedès and Jerez.
DOC Rioja
Rioja is Spain's largest and most visited region, with a fair level
of wine touring infrastructure in place. Logroño is the capital,
but
Haro is truly the heart of Rioja's wine country. Located about
40 km from Logroño, and easily reached by the A-68 motorway, Haro
is home to some of the region's most prestigious "bodegas" like
Cune, La Rioja Alta, Muga, etc., and within easy driving range of hundreds
of top class wineries like Remelluri, Marqués de Cáceres,
Marqués de Riscal, Bodegas Palacio, and many more.
For more information contact the Rioja Tourist Board:
Oficina de Turismo
Miguel Villanueva, 10
26071 Logroño
La Rioja, Spain
Tel: 34-41-29 12 60
Fax: 34-41-25 60 45
DO Penedès
Lying just south of Barcelona, the DO Penedès region is home
to many top wineries, and the center of Spain's cava production as well.
With Barcelona close at hand, lodging is no problem, and the wineries here
are well prepared for visitors from all lands.
Villafranca del Penedés, the region's center, is an short
drive from Barcelona, and home to Miguel Torres, the largest and most famous
of the the Penedés wineries. San Sadurni d'Anoia, the cava
capital is another must visit while touring the region.
For more information contact the Barcelona area Tourist Board:
Servei d'Esports i Turisme
C/ Comte d'Urgell, 187
08036 Barcelona
Tel: Int'l + 34 3 402 24 64
DO Jerez
Jerez de la Frontera, the sherry capital, lies in the southwest
corner of Spain. The city is well connected by motorways, with it's own
airport, good hotels, and wineries steeped in tradition and well prepared
to receive visitors - but visiting hours here are strictly a morning
affair.
Jerez is home to many of the best known sherry producers like Gonzalez
Byass (Tio Pepe), John Harvey (Bristol Cream) and Emilio Lustau; but don't
pass up the other key sherry towns of
El Puerto de Santa Maria and
Sanlúcar de Barrameda. Also, the Jerez equestrian show put
on by Don Alvaro Domecq is something that should not be missed.
For more information about Jerez and the Andalusia region: Sherry winery
Other regions
Spread across the Spanish geography are many hidden treasures, here
are a couple of my personal favorites:
- DO Somantano
Nestled at the foot of the Pyrenees in the town of Barbastro,
province of Huesca, are three or four top class wineries that include:
Bodega Pirineos, Viñas del Vero, and Enate. Beautiful scenery, fine
wines.
- DO Navarra
Just north of Rioja is the Navarra region. Don't miss the wineries
in the picturesque town of Olite (Ochoa, Piedemonte, Marco Real),
the pilgrim's stop at Puente la Reina, and of course the capital,
Pamplona. Pleasant countyside, great food.
- DO Ribera del Duero
Much improved wine tourist infrastructure here, and many more wineries
are well prepared for visitors. There are excellent wines & wineries
about (Pesquera, Protos, Pago de Carraovejas, etc.); also some beautiful historic monuments like
the monastery at Silos and the Burgos cathedral; as well
as the world's best roast baby lamb at Aranda del Duero & Lerma.
Wine Touring Links
Vintage
Spain - Vintage Spain has an interesting offer of wine & gastronomy tours.
Wine
& Gastronomy Tour - Cobblestone Tours (previously Backroads
International) Wine & Gastronomy Tour to Spain's Basque Country where
good food and fine wines are order of the day.
Harvest
Tour of Spain - Saranjan Tours' organized tour through the
heart of Spain's wine country.
EuroAdventures
- EuroAdventures Wine & Food Tours to Spain, Portugal small groups & private tours.
Customised tours, Cooking Holidays, Walking Tours, Luxury Honeymoons...
VS Tour List
- Check Visit Spain's growing list of wine tours and more.
