The best wineries on the Golden Mile of Ribera del Duero

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Villacreces estate on the Ribera del Duero in Valladolid

If there is one wine region in Spain which in recent decades has achieved a prestige similar to that of the traditional Rioja, that is definitely the Ribera del Duero.

It is one of the five designations of origin of the province of Valladolid, in Castilla y León, and in Ribera del Duero Some of the most famous wineries in Spain are concentrated.

Therefore, this wine area that is less than two hours from Madrid becomes one of the goals for a wine tourism getaway.

Protos Winery in the Ribera del Duero in Valladolid

In our last trips by the province of Valladolid, he wine tourism He has always had his share of prominence with the visit of some of the most outstanding wineries in the area.

From the historical point of view, it should be noted that the production of wines in this area of ​​Spain dates back more than 20 centuries ago, at the time of the Romans.

But it has been during the last century when the most modern elaboration systems have been learned.

Thus, compared to the previous production of table wines, currently Ribera del Duero It is synonymous with high quality wines.

What to see and do in Ribera del Duero

In fact, for a few years there is the Ribera del Duero Wine Route, which serves as the axis of the wine tourism activities They are offered in this area.

Peñafiel Castle on the Ribera del Duero in Valladolid

While visiting the wineries to know the characteristics of their wines and taste them, the best way to start a Getaway by Ribera del Duero is to go to the town of Peñafiel.

In addition to visiting interesting places like his famous Coso Square, which hosts bullfighting celebrations since the fifteenth century, you must climb to its majestic castle shaped like a boat where you can visit the interesting Peñafiel Wine Museum.

There you find an exhibition where it is analyzed the world of wine in all its phases, from the vines, its elaboration and the tasting.

But already focused on the purpose of visiting some of the most outstanding wineries, I will tell you that there are more than 50 wineries in Ribera del Duero What can you visit.

But in this regard I want to highlight those that focus on what is known as Golden Mile of Ribera del Duero.

You should know that the designation of origin extends for about 115 kilometers on both banks of the Douro river, covering the provinces of Valladolid, Burgos, Soria and even a small area of ​​Segovia.

Wine Museum in Peñafiel Castle in Valladolid

The totally priority grape variety is the Tempranillo. although the regulatory council allows the use of other varieties, such asCabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec Y Grenache Ink, and with the exclusivity of the Ankle For white wines.

What wineries to see on the Golden Mile

But it is known as the Golden Mile to the stretch of just 15 kilometers that runs between Peñafiel and Tudela de Duero, in the province of Valladolid.

It is a territory of Vegas and hills that is characterized by short summers, but very hot, and long winters with cold and rain.

The consequence is plantations with vines of rather small size, with also small but very concentrated grapes.

There the most emblematic wineries are concentrated, among which aflagship How is itVega Sicilia, which I advance that is not open to visitors.

Barrel room in a winery in Ribera del Duero in Valladolid

But in the Golden Mile you find other great wineries that confer prestige to the DO Ribera del Duero, as Carraovejas payment, Pingus domain, Protos, Fishery, Emilio MoroArzuaga, Matarromera or Hacienda Monasterio.

To get an idea of ​​what you will find on your trip to this area, I will talk about 3 wineries that I had the opportunity to visit in the Golden Mile of Ribera de Duero in recent trips to the province of Valladolid.

Dehesa of the Canons

In full Golden Mile you find Dehesa of the Canons, place where you might be surprised to find a Basque farmhouse. and that long ago it was a farm where 22 canons lived, hence its denomination.

This building dates back to 1842, when a Basque family bought the farm to dedicate it to agriculture, and the current family owner since 1931 was dedicated to selling grapes to the nearby Vega Sicilia.

It was in the last decade of the 80s when they decided to make their own brand, and the first vintage came out in 1989.

Farmhouse of Dehesa de los Canónigos in Ribera del Duero

Dehesa of the Canons It extends over 600 hectares near the town of Pesquera del Duero, but only 70 of them are dedicated to vineyards.

With a production of 200-250,000 in which quality prevails. the wine tourism visits They come to last an hour and a half or two hours, are tailored to each visitor, and during these a walk through the vineyards is included.

Finca Villacreces

When you arrive to Finca Villacreces you discover a type building french chateau surrounded by vineyards and pine forests.

The current owners, a restoration establishment of the Rioja Alavesa which already had vineyards, acquired the farm in 2003 and the first wines came out in 2007.

Villacreces estate on the Ribera del Duero in Valladolid

The origins of the agricultural farm date back to the fourteenth century when it was founded by a Franciscan monk who planted vineyards in it.

In 1836 it became a hunting and recreation farm, and the last owner family still maintains a recreational house in it.

With a production of about 750,000 bottles per year, the wines are made using stainless steel, concrete vats and French oak barrels.

Note that in Finca Villacreces they do not present the wines with the usual aging or reserve categories, but with their own names.

To highlight his wine Pruno 90 which has recently been awarded as the best wine in quality / price ratio (€ 10.90 per bottle), made with 90% grapes Tempranillo and 10% of Cabernet.

Villacreces estate on the Ribera del Duero in Valladolid

From the 2017 harvest they already produce organic wine characterized by the natural treatment of the plantations, which instead has a lower production per hectare.

In the wine tourism visitsIn addition to knowing the winemaking process, you will walk through the vineyards, and you even have the option of picnic on an electric bike tour.

To highlight the Pruno Day with food trucks in the winery, special event that this year takes place on June 30.

Retuerta Abbey

Also in the Golden Mile, but not belonging to the DO Ribera del Duero, it is worth mentioning the wineryRetuerta Abbey, linked to the very luxurious and exclusive hotel Abadía Retuerta LeDomaine located in a building of an abbey dating back to 1146.

Retuerta Abbey in the Ribera del Duero in Valladolid

It is an estate of about 700 hectares where wine was already produced at the time with the presence of the monks, and where the current owners planted vines in the past decade of the 90s, which are distributed in 54 payments.

This hotel is among the most exclusive in Spain, a good example of which is that each of its 21 rooms has a butler service.

Customers can make various types of private tours of the winery and its vineyards.

In section accommodation For your getaway to the Ribera del Duero, I want to highlight the Pesquera AF Hotel, a Boutique hotel Opened in 2011 in a renovated old industrial building, with 36 rooms and cutting-edge facilities.

Situated in Peñafiel, at the foot of its castle, this hotel owned by the winery Alejandro Fernández Tinto Pesquera, is a very suitable place to complete your wine tourism experience, with areas of fitness Y spa included

Pesquera AF Hotel in Peñafiel in Valladolid

Finally, here you can check the various wine tourism activities and experiences what can you to do on the Ribera del Duero Wine Route.

How to get to Ribera del Duero

For visit the wineries of the Golden Mile from Ribera del Duero You must go to Peñafiel, a town that is 190 kilometers north of Madrid and 55 kilometers southeast of the city of Valladolid.

From there you must go to Tudela de Duero, and on that tour you will find all the wineries and their vineyards.

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Video: Ribera del Duero Wine Trip (March 2024).