Best Wineries & Vineyards in La Rioja, Spain

The Spanish countryside is littered with vineyards and wine estates, some dating back centuries while others pioneer modern techniques, in a country surpassed only by France and Italy in the wine production stakes.

With 69 officially recognised wine regions in Spain strewn across over one million acres of vineyards – more than anywhere else in the world – the country produces an extremely diverse portfolio of wines from world renowned reds to sparkling Cava. And, the range of Spain wineries is equally varied – with differences in scale, landscape, architecture, traditions, culture and, of course, the wine itself. At Wine Paths, our local experts can organise bespoke tours of Spain wineries across all of the country’s most renowned wine regions. Unsurprisingly, deciding on a Spain winery to visit can be a daunting prospect – to save you time procrastinating we have selected some of our most highly recommended tours in several respected regions:

La Rioja is arguably Spain’s most recognised wine region courtesy of its eponymous export; the north-central region boasts more than 500 wineries (bodegas), producing 175 million bottles a year. Finca Valpiedra in the heart of the Rioja Alta takes its name from ‘the valley of stones’, which help mature vines by preserving the sun’s warmth and assisting drainage. This is one of the few Spanish wineries that belong to the Grand Crus Association of Spain, an exclusive group of wineries with single vineyards. Visitors can explore the vineyards by foot or Segway through the estate before enjoying special tastings. Resting on the banks of the River Duero, Ribera del Duero is challenging Rioja for the title of Spain’s finest wine producer fuelled by bold, red wines dominated by the Tempranillo grape.

Abadia Retuerta is a traditional Spanish winery with a philosophy of respecting and preserving the legacy inherited from the region. The land on the estate has been dedicated to the vines that were first planted in the Duero Valley by monks after the building of the Santa Maria de Retuerta monastery that still resides on the river bank. The Catalunya wine region encompasses the Penedes where almost the entire production of the country’s sparkling wine Cava comes from, while its closeness to Barcelona makes it a popular destination for tours of Spain wineries.

None are more renowned in the region than Familia Torres, where guests are invited to visit the emblematic Mas La Plana vineyard and enjoy unique activities including wine tastings, guided tours, and food and wine pairings with award winning bottles. The La Mancha region close to Madrid includes the municipality of Toledo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a long history of winemaking in the dusty landscapes of Don Quixote.

Toledo is home to the Martue winery, which is one of the few Spanish wineries bestowed with the ‘Pago’ classification, the highest rating contemplated by the country’s wine legislation. Visitors can visit the estate, which is divided into two different land properties, before returning for a guided tour of Toledo. Andalusia is an extremely dry yet beautiful region in the south of Spain that lends itself to the production of the country’s famous fortified wine from Jerez, known universally as sherry.

We offer an exclusive tour of Jerez’s best known Spain winery, the Pedro Domecq, which has an enormous international presence while retaining the authenticity and Andalusian flavour. After sampling some of the finest sherries on earth, visitors can take VIP seats at the Royal Andalusian Academy of Equestrian Art to watch the world- famous ‘Dancing Horses’ display.

Visit our Spain destination page for more details on our exclusive tours, luxury accommodation and unique experiences.

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