La Rioja and Ribera del Duero - 7 days

La Rioja and Ribera del Duero - 7 days

7 days - Peñafiel and Laguardia 6 nights in wine hotels

Self-guided route for groups under 8 pax. Ask about car rental options with or without driver.

Minimum number of participants: 2

Available all year round subject to availability

During this “enotouristic” tour, we will be able to taste some of the most sophisticated wines and discover other excellent wines from these wine regions, visiting wine makers famous worldwide for their quality, small wineries located in places of great historical and cultural value and wineries impressive for their architecture or antiquity.

This tour offers you the opportunity to witness for yourself lhe ancient tradition of winemaking , The wine tasting sessions, as well as the use of the latest technologies, to learn the how, what and when of vine growing and harvesting, to walk among barrels and smell the wine, to enrich or update your knowledge in the commented tasting sessions of the expert wine producers and, of course, to discover the flavors of the excellent Catellano and Riojan cuisines. A pleasure for all the senses

Let's travel north of Castilla y León, Spain's leading wine region and the birthplace of one of the most acclaimed Appellations of Origin: ”La Ribera del Duero”, which will surprise you with beautiful historic and medieval towns and with castles and fortifications dating back to Roman times.

We will visit the Peñafiel Castle from the IX century, which rises above what in the Middle Ages was the border between Arab and Christian lands, on a hill with stunning views of the Douro. Inside, its Wine Museum will show you the culture and history of wine. We will visit several wineries, some modern, some older and enjoy tastings led by experts. You will also get to know Valladolid and its fascinating tapas culture.

In the next few days we will visit the impressive region of the Rioja, You will visit one of the most important wine producing areas in Europe and Spain's oldest wine region. There will be wine tasting in several wineries and in a beautiful setting, you will visit the largest wine museum in Europe, visit the beautiful cathedral of Logroño and the famous tapas bars of the acclaimed Laurel Street, and finally, you will have the privilege of tasting the dishes of a Michelin-starred Chef.

Selected hotels, “wine hotels and spa”, will make your wine tourism experience even more authentic. Our hotel in Ribera del Duero is located in a wine village considered the “Golden Mile”, as it is home to superstars such as Vega Sicilia, Pingus and Viña Mayor wine. as it is home to superstars such as Vega Sicilia, Pingus and Viña Mayor.

You will be able to enjoy fantastic views of the vineyards , as well as walks right in the vineyards. In the beautiful Laguardia, a very well preserved medieval village, full of subway cellars under its stone streets, in the heart of La Rioja, we will stay in a charming 4 star hotel overlooking the vineyards, which conveys an intimate and quiet atmosphere, perfect for relaxing.

A memorable trip.

Itinerary

B- breakfast L- lunch D-dinner

Day 1- B/D

Arrival at Madrid or Bilbao airport.

Welcome and private transfer for groups, to the fabulous 5* hotel in the heart of the golden mile in the Ribera del Duero.

*For groups of less than 8 people, transportation is on your own. Ask about car rental options with or without driver.

Afternoon to enjoy a walk through the vineyards or its wonderful Spa and its grape treatments.

Welcome dinner.

Day 2 - B/L

Buffet breakfast at the hotel

In the morning we will visit one of the most acclaimed wineries in the region. It will allow you to witness for yourself the ancient tradition of winemaking working hand in hand with the latest technology, learn the how, what and when of vine growing and harvesting, walk among barrels and smell the wine, and finally enrich or update your wine knowledge in the commented tasting of their wines.

Then we will enjoy a good barbecue in a restaurant / old winery to discover the flavors of the exquisite Castilian cuisine. If time permits we will visit the medieval Plaza del Corso.

In the afternoon you will go up the hill to the 9th century Peñafiel Castle, which stands on what in the Middle Ages was the border between Arab and Christian lands, on a hill with breathtaking views of the Duero. Inside, its Wine Museum will show you in a graphic and audiovisual way all about the wine culture and its history.

Dinner on your own.

Day 3 - B/L

Buffet breakfast at the hotel.

Today you will have the exclusive opportunity to take a private guided tour of the incredible 12th century Abbey-Winery (declared a National Heritage Site). You will drive through the most unique places, among which the vineyards stand out.

Its wines, produced from a selection of the best grapes from our vineyards, are a firm commitment to terroir wines.

Then we will visit the next Valladolid with our guide who will take you to the most emblematic sites and will take you on a tapas route, a must in this city that has been celebrating its national tapas contest for a decade. The Castilian-Leonese capital preserves an important monumental heritage in its old town, especially noble houses and religious buildings. Among them, the unfinished Cathedral stands out.

Dinner on your own.

Day 4 - B/L

Buffet breakfast at the hotel.

Check out and departure to La Rioja. Only half an hour away, still in Ribera del Duero, you will visit an impressive winery awarded with architecture prizes and taste its extraordinary wines.

Arrival in the medieval village of Laguardia for lunch in a restaurant overlooking vineyards.

In the afternoon visit to one of its impressive 320 subway cellars that run through its subsoil. We will learn about the traditional method of making wine and taste their wines.

Rest of the afternoon at leisure and dinner on your own.

Day 5 - B/L

Buffet breakfast at the hotel.

Our first stop will be Haro, the wine capital of Rioja, where we will visit one of the many century-old wineries that line the street and taste the first legendary wine of Rioja. We will also have the opportunity to witness how the barrels or casks are made.

Today you will enjoy a typical Riojan meal in a charming tavern.

In the afternoon we will visit the largest wine museum in Europe, the Vivanco Museum, located in Briones. Here we will discover how wine is made, the work of cooperage and bottle makers, the methods for storing and transporting wine, its history and that of the world's wines, and, above all, the great cultural heritage that wine has inspired around the world, from the ancient Egyptians to modern Picassos.

Dinner on your own.

Day 6 - B/L/D

Buffet breakfast at the hotel.

In the morning we will visit a renowned and modern winery, not only for its architecture, but also for the quality of its wines that you will have the opportunity to taste.

Then guided tour of Logroño, its cathedral and tapas tour through the acclaimed and lively bars of its famous Laurel Street.

Rest and free afternoon.

At dinner, we will celebrate your farewell in a very special setting. The Michelin-starred restaurant at Marqués de Riscal. An impressive place that you can not miss to visit and taste its delicacies.

Day 7- B End of services

Buffet breakfast.

Private transfer to the airport. End of services

Culinary Spain wishes you a safe return trip.

Includes

WHAT IS INCLUDED:

• For groups of 8 or more, private transportation by bus during the whole route (for smaller groups, optional car rental with or without car).
• 6 nights accommodation with buffet breakfast, in 4 and 5* hotels/wine spa in standard double room (double occupancy). Unless booking single or superior.
• The lunches or dinners (one of them Michelin star restaurant) specified in the itinerary. Unless otherwise specified, a bottle of wine for every two people and water are included. Any extra drinks are at the client's expense.
• Guided visit to Abadía Retuerta and tour of vineyards with an off-road vehicle.
• Guided visit to 6 wineries (3 in Ribera del Duero + 3 in Rioja) with wine tasting.
• Entrance to Pañafiel Castle + wine museum.
• Entrance to Vivanco Dynasty Museum
• Guided tour of Valladolid + tapas tour
• Guided tour of Logroño + tapas tour
• Local taxes
• Travel documentation

IMPORTANT:

• The menus are not à la carte but fixed in advance by us. They include a bottle of wine for every two people or water. Any extra drinks are at the client's expense. If you are allergic or can not take any food or have any dietary restrictions, please let us know when making the reservation. Thank you
• The order of days in the itinerary or schedule of activities can be modified by Culinary Spain. The client will receive the confirmed itinerary prior to the trip.

OPTIONAL:

• Extra nights
• For groups between 2 and 7 pax, car rental with or without driver.
• For groups: cooking class or Pintxos contest in La Rioja
• For groups: wine tasting class (1 or 2 hours).
• Travel insurance.
• Reservations in restaurants of your choice for dinners not included

NOT INCLUDED:

• Airline ticket.
• For groups between 2 and 7 pax, transportation during the route (optional).
• Extra drinks or extra bottles of wine or unspecified meals
• Personal expenses or tips

More information

For prices and availability, reservations or more information, please do not hesitate to contact us: contact us at.