Spain Uncorked: These Wine Tourism Experiences Go Far Beyond Tasting Some of the Finest Bottles in the Country

With 2,000 years of grape growing experience and some 2.4 million acres of land dedicated to the production of wine (more than any other country on earth), Spain is paradise for wine lovers.

From the famous reds of Rioja and Navarra to the world-leading whites of Rueda and Galicia – not to forget the sparkling delights of Cava and fortified wines of Andalusia  – Spain has it all!

In fact, there are more than 4,000 vineyards in Spain. But you don’t need to visit them all to get a comprehensive taste of this enological Eden.

We present 5 unique wine tourism experiences in Spain where you can sip your way from bodega to bodega while meeting passionate winemakers and hearing their millenia-old stories. And the best part of all? All of these stellar Spanish wineries also boast their own luxury accommodation, so you can really make the most of your tasting experience.

Let’s uncork a few bottles and hit the road!

A pilgrimage all red wine lovers must make at least once in their life

Dating back to 1858, Marqués de Riscal's winery is responsible for bottling the first ever Rioja wine (in 1862). Nowadays, it is not only a winery but a dazzling wine resort encompassing an avant-garde five-star hotel, designed by world-renowned architect Frank Gehry, with is among the most visually striking hotels in Spain (ney, the world).

But the accolades don’t stop there. The hotel’s suitably chic Michelin-starred restaurant is headed by gastro superstar Francis Paniego and offers the ideal space in which to explore the fabled flavours of La Rioja. In fact, it’s not at all surprising to learn that Marqués de Riscal was voted second best vineyard in the World in 2023 by World's Best Vineyards 2023 for the third year in a row!

What to drink: There is perhaps no better place than this to sample the royal reds of Rioja, made with the region’s signature Tempranillo grapes. Generally speaking there are three different types of red Rioja wine. Crianza is the lightest, with hints of ripe strawberries, raspberries, cranberries, and a satisfying vanilla and spice. It is still very much a full-bodied red and boasts Rioja’s signature silky tannins and a vibrant acidity. Reserva Riojas are more complex, with notes of toasted oak, clove, pepper, vanilla, and coconut. Gran Reserva Riojas are the boldest and most complex, with a rich oakiness and bountiful notes of ripe fruits, spices and a smooth, woody finish.

But there’s good news for white wine lovers too: the same family also founded the nearby Rueda vineyards, which are famous for their bright and flowery Verdejo and Sauvignon Blanc varietals.

You will XR Marqués de Riscal, a tribute to the winemakers that is a blend of Tempranillo and Graciano. With an intense black-cherry colour, notes of liquorice, cinnamon and black pepper can be found in the nose. It is fresh and easy to drink on the palate with lovely, polished tannins and with a persistent finish that leaves gentle balsamic reminders. Sounds good and tastes better!

Unique liquid sensations and many more reasons to visit Jerez

Dating back to 1841, Bodegas Tío Pepe originally specialised in dry white Fino wines but now produces a broad range of sherries, brandies and vermouths. They’re complex and well worth tasting your way through on one of the vineyard’s fun tasting tours. Explore the vines before jumping on the miniature train to the bottling rooms and historic cellar – a fascinating insight into world of fortified wine, made all the more irresistible by a wine and tapas tasting session to finish. If you can’t bring yourself to leave, check in to “the world’s first sherry hotel” in the heart of Old Town Jerez. Here you can rest up in the 150-year-old buildings, which were the former homes of the local winemakers.

What to drink: Tío Pepe produces a broad range of sherries both dry and sweet. Try the Pedro Ximénez based wines, which goes by the name of Néctar. Expect a buoyant bouquet of raisins and dates and fresh figs, with notes of honey, candied fruit, roasted coffee, dark chocolate and liquorice. A tree feast for the senses.

A luxury wine-spa stay like no other

Set in 700-hectares of fiercely fertile grounds, Abadía Retuerta LeDomaine is one-of-a-kind wine place, housed in a late-Romanesque monastery that dates back to 1146 in Sardón de Duero (Valladolid, Castile and León). It was previously used as the national headquarters of the Premonstratensian Order, but today provides a five-star hotel with spa facilities, Refectorio, a Michelin-starred restaurant, and its very own winery. It is very much the full package and a must for travellers seeking solitude, rejuvenation, and lots of good food and wine.

What to drink: The vineyards overlook the Duero River and produce an array of grapes ranging from Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, to Merlot and Petit Verdot. Sauvignon Blanc and Verdejo also allow for further forays into white wine territory. Since 2022, Abadía Retuerta has had its own Protected Designation of Origin as a Vino de Pago. This seal of approval, granted by the European Union, endorses the estate’s wine as a product of guaranteed origin, quality and tradition. Book a spot on the ‘Spa Sommelier Experience’, which provides guided tastings of the estate’s many wines.

It is difficult to choose only one of the Abadía Retuerta wines, but a good choice would be Pago Negralada, a Tempranillo with a fragrant and complex nose, with hints of red and black fruits (raspberries, redcurrants, blackberries) and spiced notes. Refreshing on the palate and bold in structure, with smooth tannins and a very pleasing flavour. Irresistible!

The finest place to explore Catalan wine

To be clear, Bodega Perelada is more than a vineyard. It is a refined resort, a historic and architectural marvel, a complete destination in its own right. Boasting a five-star hotel, Michelin-starred restaurant, a castle and “wine spa”, this is the sort of place you’ll never want to leave. Although you may be tempted to take a day trip to the nearby Dalí Theatre and Museum in Figures, less than 10 km away. But most importantly of all, wine has been made at the Castillo Perelada since the Middle Ages. And wine is what they do best.

What to drink: Having been named as one of the "World's Most Admired Wine Brands” in 2024, it’s safe to assume that many of the Perelada wines will put a smile on your face. The reds from Empordà are world renowned, characterised by the ultra mineral rich soils of the region. The reds are complex, full-bodied and well-structured with strong notes of black fruit and a beautifully balanced hint of spice. Empordà whites are refreshing and spritely, with floral and fruity aromas like apple, pear, elder flower.

A good place to start would be with the impressive array of Cavas, which Catalonia is world-renowned for. Cavas range from moderately sweet to extra dry: Brut Nature (bone dry), Extra Brut (extra dry), Brut (fairly dry), Semi Seco (the sweetest variety of Cava). Comparable to Champagne, most Cava is a light to medium bodied sparkling wine with mineral notes and galvanising acidic aromas of zesty citrus. Aged Cava takes on deeper levels of flavour, with notes of baked apple and toasted almond. Cava (Cava de Guarda) is aged a minimum of nine months. Cava Reserva is aged a minimum of eighteen months. Cava Gran Reserva is aged a minimum of thirty months, while Cava de Paraje Calificado (it means qualified location) comes from a specially selected place and it is aged a minimum of 36 months and represents the highest of Cava quality.

Go all out with the Gran Claustro Special Cuvée Gran Reserva, which the vineyard handpicked when visited by United States president Dwight Eisenhower back in 1959. If it’s good enough for the president…

The ultimate adventure into albariño whites

Mixing the old with the new in a fun yet elegant way, Casa Beatnik offers casual luxury and a deep dive into the region’s prized Albariño wines, including an immersive visit to the Galegos vineyards, aside the house. Bordering Portugal and perched on the Atlantic Ocean, Galicia occupies the north-western tip of the Iberian Peninsula and is one of Spain’s best-kept secrets. It’s famous for its fresh seafood and even more so for its renowned Rías Baixas wine region, which is almost exclusively dedicated to the production of albariño whites.

What to drink: Casa Beatnik’s small but beautifully formed vineyard is managed by proprietor Juan Carlos Alonso and one of Galicia’s finest winemakers, Rodrigo Méndez. Only 400-500 cases are produced each year, made with 100% old vine albariño grapes. Albariño is a beautiful crisp and fresh white wine with a distinctly dry and satisfying finish. Expect lemon zest, grapefruit, honeydew, nectarines – and a satisfying bite of salt. Aged bottles also develop hints of beeswax and sweeter summer scents of peach, pair and apricot. Needless to say, this is the perfect wine for a sunny day in northern Spain – especially when paired with a feast of fresh local seafood dishes. A match made in heaven.

These wine tourism experiences offer the chance not only to discover Spain's best wines but also to walk the land where they’re produced and enjoy a variety of activities and experiences. It's time to pack your wine glasses and head to Spain!