Rioja and Ribera del Duero wine tour

Rioja and Ribera del Duero wine tour

7 days- Peñafiel and Laguardia 6 nigths at wine hotels.

Nº of participants: from 2 people (from 2 to 7 people transportation is on your own/optional rental car with or without chauffer) From 8 people this tour is guided and on private bus.

Available all year round upon request

Experiment, try and enjoy the thrilling world of Spanish wines with an extremely fascinating wine tasting on this wine and culinary tour that will take you to the beautiful Ribera del Duero and la Rioja regions, where world famous and great acclaimed wines are produced.

During this exceptional wine tour we will taste some of the most sophisticated and celebrates wines and discover other superb wines of these regions, visiting wine makers world-wide famous for their quality, small wineries located in places of great historical and cultural value and stunning cellars, some of them dating back to the 1890,s.

We will journey north to Castile y León, Spanish leader in wine and birthplace of one of the most acclaimed Designations of Origin for wine, “Ribera del Duero”, that will surprise you with beautiful historic and medieval towns with massive castles and ancient fortifications dating to Roman times. We will visit the IXth century Peñafiel Castle which rises on what in the Middle Ages was the border between Arab and Christian lands, on a hill overlooking the Duero. Inside its Wine Museum will show you an interesting display on the culture of wine.

The next days we will visit the amazing region of la Rioja, one of the most important wine growing areas of Europe and Spanish oldest wine region. We will have wine tasting in gorgeous surroundings as we travel through the arcade streets to admire the stone mansions of amazing medieval towns, very important for the pilgrims in their way to Santiago.

Our hand – selected “wine” hotels will make your gourmet experience even more unique. Our hotel in Ribera del Duero is situated in a wine village considered to the “Golden Mile”, as it is home to such wine superstars as Vega Sicilia, Pingus and Viña Mayor. At the beautiful luxurious Hacienda-style five star hotel, built as an extension of its winery installations, you will enjoy fantastic views to the vines as well as walks right in the vineyards. At beautiful Laguardia, a completely preserved medieval village full of subterranean cellars under its stone streets, in the heart of La Rioja, we will stay at 4 star charming hotel overlooking the vineyards, which transmits an intimate and quiet environment perfect for you to relax.

This tour will offer you the opportunity to witness for yourself the old tradition of winemaking working hand in hand with the very latest technology, to learn the how, what and when of grape cultivation and harvesting, to walk among barrels and smell the wine as it ages, to enrich or update your knowledge during the tutored tasting sessions from top wine producers and of course, to discover the flavours of the superb Castilian, La Rioja and Navarra regional cuisines as we enjoy fabulous Gourmet meals….A enjoyment for the senses.

B-Breakfast/ L- Lunch/ D- Dinner

Day 1 – D

Transfer from Madrid or Bilbao Airport to our luxurious five star wine hotel in Ribera del Duero where you we will enjoy its elegant bedrooms with fantastic views of the vines, Jacuzzi baths, and pretty rooms full of antiques and wine paraphernalia and of course its winery and beautiful cellar.

Briefing of the trip over an aperitif and our first toast of wine followed by a welcome Gourmet dinner

Day 2 – B/L

Buffet breakfast.

Today we are invited to visit one of the best and more modern wineries in Ribera and to enjoy unique tutored tastings.

We will then have a traditional Castilian dinner.

In the afternoon head to Peñafiel, home of kings and nobles, to visit its Castle which spectacularly rises on a hill overlooking the Duero and whose ancient, battle-scarred history has left behind a historical and architectural heritage of great value and beauty. We will visit its fabulous Wine Museum and learn more about this wine region and the methods of production.. Have a scroll around the beautiful Plaza del Coso where bullfighting festivals have been held since the Middle Ages and with their unique balconies that display lovely wooden arabesques.

Back at the hotel, evening free for a walk thorough the vineyards, read and relax at its fabulous dining rooms and free dinner if you wish, at its gorgeous restaurant.

Day 3 – B/L

Buffet breakfast.

We will visit The Santa María de Retuerta Abbey and its winery, one of the most important Romanesque works of the 12th century. The first written references to the importance of the vineyards of Retuerta date back to the 17th century. These documents state that the wine was sold by the monks that lived in the monastery. Here we will enjoy a guided visit to the monastery, its beautiful church, its cloister and winery as well as a great tour in 4×4 wheels vehicle around the vineyards, ending up with a tasting in one of is magnificent rooms.

Then visit the Valladolid by the hand of our guide who will lead you through the most emblematic sites and take a tapas tour, essential in this city that celebrates its national competition of tapas. The Castilian-Leon capital retains an important number of monuments in the old town, especially noble houses and religious buildings. Among them stands the unfinished Cathedral.

Dinner on your own.

Day 4 – B/L

Buffet breakfast.

Check out and departure to La Rioja. Just half an hour away,still in Ribera del Duero, we will visit a winery that has won impressive awards because of its extraordinary architecture. Then taste their superb wines.

Arrive to the magical medieval town of Laguardia where we will check in our fabulous and charming hotel.

We will then head to the largest underneath cellar In laguardia, to see the contrast between a modern and an ancient winery and learn the differences between the wine process using different production methods. We will see a winery on the ground floor of the cellar, where 32,000 litres of wine are elaborated annually in a traditional way, treading the grapes like in ancient times. We will also have a tutored tasting by a professional.

You can enjoy dinner at one of its many fine restaurants or at your exquisite hotel.

Day 5 – B/L

Buffet breakfast.

Today our first stop will be at Haro, wine capital of la Rioja, where we will visit one of the many old century wineries that line the street and taste the first legendary Rioja wine. We will also have the opportunity to witness how barrels or casks are made. We will enjoy a tapas style meal at a charming tavern.

In the afternoon we will visit the biggest wine museum in Europe,Vivanco Museum of the Culture of Wine, located in Briones. Here we will discover how wine is made, the work of the coopers and bottle makers, methods of storing and transporting wine, the history of wine and the wines of the world, and, above all, the vast cultural legacy which wine has inspired all over the world, from the Ancient Egyptians to modern Picassos. We will be offered a wine after the visit

Dinner on your own.

Day 6 – B/L/D

Buffet breakfast.

In the morning we will to visit a famous winery, not only for the quality of its wine but for its fascinating modern architecture. Tasting will follow .

We will then head to Logroño, visit its marvellous cathedral and enjoy a tapas tour at its famous “Laurel” street full of renowned taverns..

Rest and afternoon at leisure.

Farewell dinner will be at the spectacular and luxury Marques de Riscal hotel at its Michelin star restaurant. This is a must at La Rioja, the only hotel in the world designed by famous O,ghery architect.

Day 7- B

Last breakfast.

Private transfer to airport.

End of services

Culinary Spain wishes you a safe back trip home.

What is included?

• Domestic and guided private transportation for groups from 8 people (optional for groups from 2 to 7 people)
• Private transfers from and to the airport for groups from 8 people (optional for groups from 2 to 7 people)
• 6 nights in 4/5 star hotels (3 at Rivera 5*, 3 at Laguardia 4*)
• Buffet breakfasts daily
• Lunches and dinners indicated in Itinerary. They include bottle of wine for two people and water (except indicated the contrary) 5 lunches and 1 gourmet dinner at Michelin Star.
• 6 wineries visits (3 at Ribera and 3 at La Rioja) including wine tasting
• 1 guided tour of Valladolid and tapas tour including drinks
• 1 guided tour of Logroño and tapas tour including drinks
• 1 visit to Abbey Retuerta and 4×4 wheel vineyard tourVisit to Peñafiel castle and wine museum.
• Visit to Dinastía Vivanco Wine museum with tasting.
• English speaking guide
• Local taxes
• Travel information

IMPORTANT:

• *Menus will be not “a la carte” and will be fixed before hand by Culinary Spain. If there is any food you are allergic to or cannot eat, please inform us before your travel.
• The order of days in itinerary or schedule of activities can be modified by Culinary Spain. The customer will receive the confirmed itinerary prior to travel.

Optional:

• Extra nights
• For groups from 2 to 7 people, roundtrip transfers from airport and domestic private transportation with guide.
• Booking at restaurants of your choice.
• Travel insurance
• For groups: cooking class at La Rioja and/or tutored wine tasting ( 1-2 hours)

What is not included?

• Airfare
• For groups from 2 to 7 people, roundtrip transfers from airport and domestic private transportation with guide
• Medical or Travel Insurance
• Meals and Drinks not specified
• Personal expenses and tips (additional vintage bottles of your choosing, mini bar, telephone, etc.