Spain

Wine Roads of Northern Spain

Un Vaso de Bon Vino

March through October ● 6 days / 5 nights

 

Pick up at Madrid airport or downtown for transfer to Rioja. Drive north through Old Castile into Rioja, with a light lunch en route. This afternoon, enjoy a private hosted visit to either Bodegas Marqués de Riscal or Marqués de Murrieta, the two oldest wineries in Rioja. Continue to your boutique hotel in the medieval walled village of Laguardia. Walking tour of the village before dinner at a superb local restaurant, complemented by wines from Rioja.
Overnight: Posada Migueloa / charming village inn   D

Day 2 LAGUARDIA • RIOJA • ALAVESA LAGUARDIA

After breakfast you’ll visit one of the historic cuevas that lies underneath the village streets—El Fabulista. Here the wine is fermented and aged in a tradi­tional method dating back hun­dreds of years. Departing Laguardia, you’ll visit a dramatically situated property above the Ebro River, Bodegas Finca Valpiedra, a state of the art winery. After a light lunch of typical Rioja special- ties, you’ll have a chance to visit either Bodegas San Vicente or Benjamin Romeo in San Vicente de la Sonsierra, a beautiful village with commanding views. Returning to Laguardia, you’ll pass by some of the Bronze Age remains for which the area has long been known and enjoy some spectacular vineyard views. Explore Laguardia on your own this evening. 
Overnight: as above   B L 

Day 3 LAGUARDIA • HARO • BURGOS

After breakfast depart for the Rioja subzone of Rioja alta to visit the award-winning Bodegas Roda, considered one of the region’s most innovative. On a second morning visit, tour a traditional winery—Bilbainas, Muga or López de Heredia in Haro’s Station District. Following the second tour, walk through the 18th century town of Haro with its noble houses en route to a light lunch. After lunch travel south to Burgos, an ancient capital of Spain that preserves a beautiful old quarter. Arrive in time to see the historic center with its magnificent Gothic Cathedral filled with art and to stroll the beautiful river walk before dinner at our favorite Restaurante El 24 de la Paloma.
Overnight: Palacio Merced/18th c palace   B L D

"We had an amazing trip and want to thank you very much for helping us organize. We have told everyone about you and recommended you to many people. We are looking forward to more trips in the future. Thanks, again!" K. Schreck, Bellevue, WA

 

Day 4 BURGOS • RIBERA DEL DUERO • PEÑAFIEL

Continue southwards into the Valley of the Duero River/Ribera del Duero, one of Spain’s premier wine regions. Visit Bodegas Valsotillo, with its remarkable caves carved into the mountainside. Vineyards alternate with mixed arable crops and the famous merino sheep graze fields that reach the river’s edge. Learn more about the appellation on a second visit to either Condado de Haza, Hermanos Pérez Pascuas or Hermanos Sastre. The region’s enological study center is at Roa, a perfect stop for lunch among the winemakers. Afterwards, visit Pesquera or Pago de Carraovejas. Nearby Peñafiel, overlooked by its dramatic castle with superb wine museum, is a small town with a rich history on the plains of Old Castile. Wine Tasting dinner.  
Overnight: Hotel Ribera del Duero   B L D

Day 5 PEÑAFIEL • RIBERA DEL DUERO • SEGOVIA

After breakfast visit Abadia Retuerta, an extremely innovative producer, then continue to Tudela del Duero to tour Bodegas Mauro, a winery founded by Mariano García, one-time enologist at Vega Sicilia. Enjoy a light lunch before continuing to Segovia, a UNESCO World Heritage town. Stroll from the Roman aqueduct to the Alcázar, visit the Cathedral and enjoy a drink in the golden light of the Plaza Mayor. The region is known for its suckling pig, the featured dish at tonight’s farewell dinner at Restaurante José María.
Overnight: Parador Segovia   B L D

Day 6 SEGOVIA • MADRID

After breakfast transfer to Madrid.   B

 

 

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